Times of Oman - September 21, 2015

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MONDAY, September 21, 2015 / 7 Dhul Hijja 1436 AH

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TOP THREE INSIDE STORIES

OMAN

HM sends condolences

Training agreements for Omanis signed

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Minister of Manpower Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser Al Bakri, signed on Sunday at the Ministry’s headquarters 21 training contracts with a number of training organisations for the training of 446 Omani citizens at a cost of OMR1,273,335. The duration of training ranges between six and nine months. >A3

OMAN

Sultanate, India boost relations

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Renewal of Oman-India defence ties will see an increased cooperation to strengthen the relations between both the countries, the Indian embassy’s defence advisor has said. >A4

MARKET

Leasing firms achieve robust growth

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Oman’s leasing sector has achieved a healthy growth of 12.3% in net profit to reach OMR15.4m for the first half of 2015.>B1

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Oman qualify for AFC U-16 Championship

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I N T E R NAT I O NA L T R A D E U N I O N C O N F E D E R AT I O N

New labour laws to secure workers’ rights REJIMON K

reji@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Oman has set up labour courts to settle workeremployer disputes exclusively, said a top official from International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC).

“Oman’s new labour laws are critical for protecting the rights of workers. But a law without compliance will fail to generate a productive culture for both businesses and labour,” Sharan Burrow, the secretary general of ITUC, told the Times of Oman in an exclusive interview.

The official, who was in Oman on a short visit to meet the Minister of Manpower and other government officials last week, said that in Oman, one is optimistic and hopes for a shared future, while in some other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries one feels discrimination, denial and existence of a master-servant

Sharan Burrow, the secretary general of ITUC.

relationship. “The most effective examples of efficient and effective resolution of workplace disputes from around the world are those from countries that have both dedicated labour courts or tribunals and the practice of collective bargaining or social dialogue,” Burrow said.

The trade union leader said there is a need for reform in the Kafala system, which has kept migrant workers bonded with employers. >A6

DUBAI: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, received His Highness Sayyid Harib bin Thuwainy bin Shihab Al Said, envoy of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, in Dubai on Sunday.

Sayyid Harib conveyed the condolences of His Majesty the Sultan to Sheikh Mohammed and members of his family over the death of his son Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid expressed his appreciation and thanks for His Majesty the Sultan’s condolences and sympathy, praying to Allah the Almighty to protect His Majesty and the Omani people against all harms. Sayyid Harib was accompanied by Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Qatabi, the Sultanate’s ambassador to the UAE, and Salim bin Musallam Al Kathiri, Head of the Sultanate’s Commercial Office in Dubai. -ONA CABLE

HM sends greetings MUSCAT: His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has sent a cable of congratulations to President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca of Malta on her country’s Independence Anniversary.

In his cable, His Majesty the Sultan has expressed his sincere congratulations along with his best wishes to President Preca and the people of Malta. >A6

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It’s a race against time for ailing girl Basma, the Pakistani girl who is unable to consume food or even digest it, needs immediate surgeries, one for liver and the other for pancreas

RAHUL DAS

rahuldas@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: It is a race against time for the parents to save their little girl after losing the first one to a similar disease. Basma Mohammad Faisal, a five-year-old girl, is suffering from multiple disorders.

Basma is unable to consume food or even digest it. Even if she eats a little, she immediately throws it up as the tube connecting her liver to her pancreas is partially blocked.

She is slated to undergo a liver transplant as she is suffering from liver cirrhosis. “The child

Basma Mohammad Faisal.

immediately needs two surgeries, one for liver and the other for pancreas,” her father, Mohammad Faisal Raza, said.

Raza, a Pakistani national, plans to take Basma to India for the liver transplant as soon as possible as medical facilities to conduct the surgery are not available in Oman or back home in Pakistan. “I had lost my elder daughter to the same disease about 11 years back. I don’t want to lose her (Basma) too,” he said, as tears rolled down his cheeks.

His elder daughter, Asfa Mohammed Faisal, died on December 6, 2004, after succumbing to liver cirrhosis. >A6

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OMAN

A bakery unit was shut down by the Public Authority of Consumer Protection (PACP) in Al Dakhiliya Governorate for displaying expired products PACP shuts down bakery in Bahla >A3

ROP ACTION

Dhofar police seize 3,000 bundles of khat; five held Times News Service SALALAH: Five people were arrested by the Directorate of Narcotics Control under the Dhofar Royal Oman Police (ROP) for dealing in illegal khat tobacco.

The five have been charged with smuggling, possession, use with intent, and trafficking of narcotic substances.

An ROP official said, “The police intelligence was tipped about a boat entering Oman’s regional waters with narcotics on board, which were to be handed over to people on a beach in Mughsayl,

Salalah. The suspects were arrested during the course of their transaction and 1,755 bundles of khat were seized from them.”

Another bid foiled Meanwhile, the Directorate of Narcotics Control also foiled another attempt to smuggle khat into Dhofar. An official said, “We had been tipped that there was a smuggling consignment incoming from the sea in Wilayat Mirbat. The boat was intercepted and 1570 bundles of Khat were confiscated from the boat.”

The suspects are being dealt

with according to legal procedures and their case will be forwarded to the courts.

The Sohar, Suwaiq and Shinas Royal Oman Police (ROP) Special Task Force, in cooperation with the Directorate General of Agriculture and Livestock raided four farms in North Al Batinah.

An ROP official stated, “During this operation, we were able to apprehend Asian workers, accused of using poisonous, expired and unlicensed pesticides on crops in those farms. We also found out that some of the works are in violation of foreign residency laws.”

MARMOMACC 2015

Oman to take part in Verona stone tech fair MUSCAT: Oman, represented by the Public Authority for Investment Promotion and Export Development ‘Ithraa,’ will take part for the sixth time in the 50th edition of the International Trade Fair for Stone, Design and Technology Marmomacc 2015. The fair will be held from September 30 to October 3 in the Italian city of Verona.

Five Omani companies dealing in marble and stone will take part in the fair.

Oman’s participation comes as part of ‘Ithraa’ efforts in developing the Omani non-oil exports through global markets.

‘Marmomacc 2015’ is considered the largest and most famous fair of its kind in Europe.

Last year’s statistics recorded as more as 65,000 visitors from various countries around the world. The fair is also an opportunity for Omani companies to benefit from the new technologies in the field of marble and stone manufacturing.– ONA

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CABLE

HM receives thanks from King Salman MUSCAT: His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has received a cable of thanks from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) in reply to His Majesty’s condolences cable on the death of Princess Nouf bint Abdulaziz Al Saud. In his cable, King Salman expressed his thanks for His Majesty the Sultan’s generous feelings and sincere prayers, praying to Allah the Almighty to rest the bereaved’s soul in peace and protect His Majesty against all harms.–ONA

C O N S U M E R A F FA I R S

PACP shuts down bakery in Bahla Times News Service MUSCAT: A bakery unit was shut down by the Public Authority of Consumer Protection (PACP) in Al Dakhiliya Governorate in cooperation with the Department of Public Prosecution under orders from the Preliminary Court in the Wilayat of Bahla.

The PACP statement said: “Case 90/M/2015 was filed against the bakery for displaying expired products and products with no information on them.”

The owner was fined OMR500 and sentenced to imprisonment for three months for the first count.

The second count saw the court fine the owner of the bakery OMR100.

The store will be closed for three days.

MINISTRY OF MANPOWER

Minister signs training pacts worth OMR1.2m MUSCAT: Minister of Manpower Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser Al Bakri, signed on Sunday at the Ministry’s headquarters 21 training contracts with a number of training organisations for the training of 446 citizens at a cost of OMR1,273,335.

Commenting on the agreements, Hamad bin Khamis Al A’mri, undersecretary of the Ministry of Manpower, said that 132 people will receive administrative training, 273 will receive technical training and 41 will receive craft training.

He added that the duration of training, which will start after

signing of the contracts, ranges between six and nine months.

Employment “There has been a remarkable turnout on these programmes as jobseekers tend to prefer direct employment rather than benefiting from the training coupled with employment,” the undersecretary concluded.

A total 56 training programmes coupled with employment contracts at the different administrative, technical, professional and craft fields have been signed by the ministry this year.– ONA

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OMAN NEW MILESTONE

Oman Air launches new online Muscat Duty Free Store Times News service MUSCAT: With the launch of the new online “Muscat Duty Free Store” by Oman Air in partnership with Muscat Duty Free, members of Oman Air’s loyalty programme Sindbad now have more options to spend their miles.

Besides flight tickets and upgrades, members can now spend their miles to purchase Muscat Duty Free products online.

Order online, collect on way They can choose from over 900 products from a variety of categories, ranging from phones, electronics, chocolates, perfumes, jewellery and more, and use their miles to purchase them. Members can order the products online and collect them when they depart from or arrive at Muscat.

Nabil Al Busaidi, Acting General Manager Marketing, Oman Air, commented, “Oman Air believes that its members should have a good selection of reward options to choose from and spend their hardearned miles on. The Muscat Duty Free store is our latest endeavour towards increasing the ease, convenience and choice of redemption options that we offer to our most valued customers.

“Members can visit the Muscat Duty Free Store on the Sindbad website, select a category, pick a product they wish to buy, specify collection details and confirm their order. The required miles will be debited from the members’ accounts and an email confirmation

will be sent. Members can collect the product themselves or nominate someone to collect on their behalf.” Products that members can choose to purchase include an iPhone 6, a Bose Bluetooth speaker, or even the latest fragrance from Amouage. To spend their miles, members have to visit the Muscat Duty Free store on the Sindbad website and make their selection.

Pat O’Connor, Operations Manager, Muscat Duty Free commented, “We are absolutely delighted to launch this new service for Oman Air’s loyalty programme. This is just the next step in our rewards for Oman Air customers, as we also offer exclusive discounts and double miles promotions to Sindbad members at various times all through the year.

“The launch of the new online store is perfect as Eid Al Adha is around the corner and Sindbad members will now be able to spend their miles to purchase gifts for their loved ones during the holiday season. Check out the Muscat Duty Free Store on Sindbad today!”

Low prices Prices of products in the store start from as low as 1,500 Sindbad miles. Sindbad programme is constantly adding new benefits, privileges and offers for its members to make their relationship with Oman Air even more rewarding. Access to the Business Class Check-in lounge, the Mobile App and now the Muscat Duty Free store are some of the initiatives that were introduced this year.

Members can visit the Muscat Duty Free Store on the Sindbad website, select a category, pick a product they wish to buy, specify collection details and confirm their order Nabil Al Busaidi, Acting General Manager Marketing, Oman Air

Sultanate-India ties to receive new boost As part of the celebrations of 60th anniversary of IndiaOman diplomatic ties, INS Tarangani and Shabab Oman will sail from Muscat to Cochin, evoking memories of the ancient IndiaOman sea trade

FRIENDLY PORT CALL: Four Indian Navy ships, INS Delhi, INS Tabar, INS Trishul and INS Deepak, are on a visit to Oman. -OK Mohammed Ali

REJIMON K

reji@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Renewal of OmanIndia defence ties will see an increased cooperation to strengthen the relations between both the countries, the Indian embassy’s defence advisor has said.

“We are discussing the areas where improvement is needed, and will be moving ahead further,” Defence Advisor Capt. N. Hariharan (Indian Navy) told the Times of Oman on board the INS Delhi, a guided-missile destroyer ship of the Indian Navy.

INS Delhi, two frigates INS Tabar and INS Trishul, and INS Deepak, the fleet tanker, are on a visit to Oman as part of the final leg of their visit to the region.

In 2005, Oman and India had signed an MoU on defence cooperation that was renewed in 2010.

The present MoU is about to expire in December this year.

RNO to send two ships According to Captain Kartik Krishnan, the commanding officer of INS Delhi, as part of the cooperation, the Royal Oman Navy (RNO) has agreed to deploy two ships for “Naseem Al Bahr,” the biennial naval exercise, in January 2016. “The exercise will be held in Indian waters,” the INS Delhi captain said.

Meanwhile, Indra Mani Pan-

DEEP-ROOTED TIES: The naval cooperation between Indian and Oman has progressed steadily with increased port visits by naval ships and training of the RNO personnel by Indian Navy. Both India and Oman have ancient maritime tradition between them that is traced back to several millennia -OK Mohammed Ali

dey, the Indian ambassador to the Sultanate, said as part of the celebrations of 60th anniversary of India-Oman diplomatic ties, INS Tarangani and Shabab Oman will sail from Muscat to Cochin, evoking memories of the ancient India-Oman sea trade.

INS Tarangini is a three-masted barque, commissioned in 1997

as a sail training ship for the Indian Navy. RNO Shabab Oman is also a barquentine which serves as a training ship for the RNO. Oman’s positive response The ambassador also added that Oman has positively responded to India’s invitation to attend the International Fleet Review

in Vishakhapatnam, the Indian Navy’s Eastern Command headquarters.

“We have received a positive response from the Omani side,” the ambassador added.

According to reports, over 60 sea-faring nations and over 100 vessels (more than 90 states have been invited) will be attending the International Fleet Review to be hosted in India in February 2016.

“Indian President Pranab Mukherjee will attend the review.

There will be seminars and venues to share ideas and expertise,” the INS Delhi captain added.

Both India and Oman have ancient maritime tradition between them that is traced back to several millennia.

The Indian Navy has multi-dimensional capability, comprising aircraft carriers, modern ships, submarines, aircraft and marine commandos.

The naval cooperation between the two countries has progressed steadily with increased port visits by naval ships and training of the RNO personnel by Indian Navy.

India and Oman are also members of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS), a voluntary and co-operative initiative among 35 countries of the Indian Ocean Region, which has served as a vital forum for sharing information and forging cooperation on maritime issues.

SAS48, SECOND EDITION

Estiqdam project wins infotech competition

Times News Service MUSCAT: From a mobile app that allows supermarkets’ customers to buy their grocery online, to a website that provides home maintenance services, creativity was at its best at Sas48, the second edition of the competition organised by the Information Technology Authority (ITA) in Sohar.

The competition ended on Saturday. The Estiqdam project, which connects the service provider with the customer to finish any request online, won the first place. The Tayseer team won the second place for its idea of regulating Haj visits through online registration via an app.

The 360 project app, which won the third place, mooted the idea of an online home maintenance service. The prize money for the top three projects was OMR10,000, OMR7,000 and OMR4,000, respectively. Half of the value of the prizes will go to the winners, while the other half will go towards the development phase of their winning projects. Winners will get a chance to be incubated at the Sas Centre for Entrepreneurship and receive the necessary technical support and consulting services.

The winning teams and all the participants will get a chance to join the Sas Centre for Entrepreneurship to start their own com-

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pany and invest in their own ideas.

The Sas Programme is a national ICT business development initiative and a state-of-the-art business designed to help promote small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in order to build a robust ICT sector in Oman.

To facilitate the growth of ICTenabled businesses in Oman, the Sas Programme offers training workshops and seminars to the entrepreneurs to help prepare them in all aspects of starting and running a business.

Opportunities Participation also extends to joining ITA’s ‘networks,’ thereby allowing new businesses to extend their range of contacts and business opportunities and connect to an international network of dynamic young businesses.

The services offered by the Programme include: client needs’ assessment, accountancy, legal, business management, human resources, marketing, governmental support, investment readiness, access to finance, and client networking, in addition to a physical office with all required services.

WINNERS ALL: The prize money for the top three projects was OMR10,000, OMR7,000 and OMR4,000. – Supplied photos

At the closing ceremony of the Sas48 competition, Dr. Salim bin Sultan Al Ruzaiqi, the CEO of ITA, said, “We congratulate the winners and hope that all participants have benefitted from the programme.

We are confident that the awards alone were not the basic criterion for assessing creative ideas.

“There are a large number of projects that we saw during the past two days that were worth all the appreciation and support and we at the Information Technology Authority invite all participating teams to visit us to learn about the services that we can offer to them through the SAS Centre for Entrepreneurship or the other initiatives to develop the capabilities and skills of young professionals in the ICT sector.

Through these initiatives, we seek to encourage entrepreneur-

ship and the development of the ICT industry in the Sultanate.”

Maarika, a mentor from the Garage 48 team of the Republic of Estonia, commented on the way the competition has progressed from its first edition onwards, saying, “We saw that the level of the participating teams this year was higher in terms of skills and capabilities as well as team work, and this is proof that the idea behind the contest is a success and its objectives have been achieved.”

“The organising committee of the competition cooperated this year with the Port of Sohar and a number of companies in the industrial area in Sohar to determine which applications should be the focus and in which area the competition would come up with a number of projects that could be utilised in those companies.”

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EID SPIRIT

OCCI’s women entrepreneurs distribute gifts among poor Times News Service MUSCAT: To help the less fortunate families, and in view of the advent of the Eid Al Adha holidays, the Women Entrepreneurs Committee (WEC) from the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) in the Al Dhahira Governorate, distributed gifts among needy families to celebrate the upcoming festival.

The initiative was aimed at spreading joy among the less fortunate families in all three wilayats of the Governorate — Ibri, Yanqul and Dhank; by offering children’s clothing and money to the families. Moza Al Ibri, head of WEC,

The charity initiative aims to spread joy among the less fortunate families in Ibri, Yanqul and Dhank

said, “This step has been taken with regards to the programmes and activities of the Al Dhahira OCCI, which aims to increase interaction with all sections of society and encourage charitable and humanitarian work.”

“In accordance with the aforementioned aims, the initiative helped insolvent families and

was a humanitarian effort that positively influenced society,” she added. WEC’s recent charity efforts include the organisation of a charity souq (market) for poor families, held in July earlier this year. As part of its Social Responsibility Program, the proceeds of the event were distributed among underprivileged families.

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OMAN CABLES

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A1 HM sends greetings His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has also sent a cable of congratulations to President Serzh Sargsyan of Armenia on the occasion of his country’s Independence Anniversary.

In his cable, His Majesty has expressed his sincere congratulations along with his best wishes to President Sargsyan and the people of his country.

His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has sent a cable of congratulations to Colville Young, Governor General of Belize on the occasion of his country’s Independence Anniversary.

In his cable, His Majesty has expressed his sincere congratulations along with his best wishes to Colville Young and the people of his country. -ONA

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Cirrhosis of liver

“At that time also, doctors had suggested a liver transplant, but we were unable to afford her treatment and she died,” said Raza, who has been working in Oman since November 1991.

Basma has another elder sister, Aneeqa and an elder brother named Mohammed Fawad, who are both students at the Pakistan School, Nizwa. “But she (Basma) is yet to start her studies because of her illness,” Raza said.

Doctors have also confirmed the need to be operated immediately.

“We think that she should undergo surgery soon, due to her problematic liver and pancreas,” said Dr. Sanju Joy, a doctor at Badr Al Samaa, Nizwa, who has been treating Basma regularly.

At the Royal Hospital, doctors reiterated that Basma is suffering from the Wilson disease—a rare inherited disorder that causes too much copper to accumulate in one’s liver, brain and other vital organs.

“The child is suffering from a cirrhotic liver and needs a liver transplant abroad, along with a reconstruction of her biliary structure,” a medical report from the Royal Hospital, issued on August 30, stated.

A biliary structure is an abnormal narrowing of the common bile duct, the tube that moves bile from the liver to the small intestine.

Bile is a substance that helps with digestion.

Basma’s father has gotten in

Emaar Properties chief shares innovative ideas Alabbar, the founder of Emaar Properties, shared details of his career and presented

ILLNESS

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We were delighted to host the Chairman and the driving force behind Emaar, Mohamed Alabbar Mohammed Mahfoodh Al Ardhi, Chairman of NBO

fresh ideas and perspectives to the diverse audience

touch with the Apollo Hospital and Global Hospital in India to find out more about the cost of treatment.

“We will be applying for an Indian medical visa soon,” he said.

After going through the clinical details, the Apollo Hospital in India confirmed that the child is suffering from liver cirrhosis; with chronic pancreatitis that may be due to an inherited metabolic disorder as the child is a product of consanguineous marriage.

“The child, in all likelihood, will require a liver transplant where the donor has to be from the immediate family, either one of the parents if they have the same blood group as the child or a donor from the O blood group, aged between 18 and 50 years.”

To conduct this operation, the hospitals are quoting any amount in between $45,000 and $50,000. “Where will I get around OMR20,000, which is required for the operation?” Raza, who works as a sales manager in a private limited company, asked.

“Besides this, there will be other expenses, such as flight tickets and hotel bookings as we are expected to land there within a week to 10 days before the operation and also need to stay in India for 15 to 30 days after being discharged,” he said, adding that he had decided to become a donor to his child.

“I could not do anything for my elder daughter, but this time I will go all out to save her (Basma),” he added.

INSPIRATION: The fifth edition of the NBO Chairman’s Speaker

Series event is scheduled to take place in December 2015.

Times News Service MUSCAT: Entrepreneurs and students heard the inspiring story of Emaar Properties Chairman, Mohamed Alabbar, during the fourth edition of the National Bank of Oman (NBO)’s event — the Chairman’s Speaker Series.

At the lecture, Alabbar, the founder of Emaar Properties, shared details of his career and presented fresh ideas and perspectives to the diverse audience comprising dignitaries, entrepreneurs, students and the bank’s customers.

The NBO Chairman’s Speaker Series was launched in 2014 as a platform where inspirational leaders from diverse disciplines,

such as the Sultanate’s most senior businessmen and government officials, could share their experiences, knowledge and innovative ideas with a cross-section of Omani society — from students just finding their way in the professional world to smalls and medium enterprises looking to grow their businesses.

Previous speakers have included the former British Ambassador to the Sultanate of Oman, Sir Terrence Clarke, the Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Managing Director of Mubadala, Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, and space pioneer Dr. Anousheh Ansari.

During his well-received ad-

dress, Alabbar, described how, as a global entrepreneur with interests in real estate, retail, luxury hospitality, banking, mining and commodities, he had turned Emaar Properties into one of the world’s most iconic developers.

In addition to his work with Emaar, Alabbar is also a board member at Eagle Hills, a private investment and real-estate development company, and is the Founding Partner of Capital City Partners Limited, a private realestate investment fund.

He was ranked second on the list of the ‘World’s 100 Most Powerful Arabs–Leaders’ in 2014 by Arabian Business.

Mohammed Mahfoodh Al Ar-

dhi, Chairman of NBO, said: “We were delighted to host the Chairman and the driving force behind Emaar, Mohamed Alabbar. Given the pivotal role that Emaar has played in the development and diversification of Dubai’s economy, his insights are particularly relevant for entrepreneurs, business leaders, and Oman’s youth looking to play a similar role here in the Sultanate.”

Al Ardhi added, “It was encouraging to see the high level of engagement from students and entrepreneurs present at the event, which encapsulated the fundamental goal of this platform, and it will be exciting to watch these thoughts and ideas translate into action and enterprise over the coming years.”

The NBO event has also been designed to bridge the gap between Oman’s hopeful youth and seasoned professionals, providing them with an interactive platform to learn and share experiences, ideas and aspirations.

Each quarter, a leading person is invited to share their expertise, knowledge and best practice at an exclusive evening event in Oman. The fifth edition of the NBO Chairman’s Speaker Series event is scheduled to take place in December 2015, and will host Deutsche Bank’s CEO, Juergen Fitschen.

JUMAN PRECINCT

Al Mouj Muscat launches new apartments Times News Service MUSCAT: Al Mouj Muscat has launched Juman, a highly exclusive new collection of premium apartments — its newest masterpiece. Set in a private precinct on the oceanfront peninsula on the eastern arm of the marina, the apartments are strictly limited in number, offering an unprecedented resort lifestyle experience.

The six iconic buildings of the gated Juman Precinct open out towards the marina or ocean views and include Zen style landscaped surroundings and resort style free-form swimming pools to create an uber-sophisticated lifestyle oasis in the heart of Al Mouj Muscat.

Each block of the Juman Precinct will have an individual release, with Juman One overlooking the marina just released and Juman Two overlooking the ocean to be released in the com-

LIFESTYLE OASIS: The apartments are strictly limited in number, offering an unprecedented resort lifestyle experience. – Supplied photo

ing months. Each of these blocks has an individual architectural style. Juman Four, or The Piers, has already captured international attention, scooping the “Emerging Markets Best Future Residential Projects” Award at Cityscape in Dubai this month.

The Piers is a visionary concept

by Kettle Collective architects from Scotland and envelopes the entry to the marina with 50 luxurious waterfront apartments.

“Al Mouj Muscat is proud to present this exceptional collection of waterfront apartments in the Juman precinct,” said Hawazen Esber, CEO Al Mouj Muscat.

“These homes have been developed in response to the strong local and international demand for luxury properties in Oman and offer a unique opportunity for owner-occupiers and investors to purchase a once-in-a-lifetime address, a solid investment in a robust and growing market.”

Crafted by select international architects and designers, the Juman One apartments boast a grand arrival experience, a residents’ lobby, spacious living areas and service rooms blending traditional floor plans with contemporary influences to offer elegant living spaces in one, two and three bedroom configurations.

Juman One also offers Al Mouj Muscat’s first skyhome penthouses with expansive living spaces that blend indoor and outdoor living with multilevel glass-fronted walls offering stunning panoramic vistas over the marina.

L A B O U R L AW S

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A1 ‘Hiring practices transparent in Oman’ “The new law in Oman, inclusive of the labour court, needs to be implemented as soon as possible to ensure a commitment to nondiscriminatory labour laws and the emerging practice of social dialogue being backed by a rule of law. With this in place, there is an optimistic future for all workers in Oman,” Burrow added.

“When compared with other GCC countries, union representation is firmly established in the private sector, with an internal democracy allowing workers to elect their leaders. And Omani laws do not discriminate between Omani workers and migrants,” Burrow said.

According to the demographic data available for August, released by Oman’s National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI), there was a 1.3 per cent increase in the Sultanate’s population in August, compared with

July. The number of expats was pegged at more than 1.86 million, while the Omani population was estimated to be over 2.35 million.

“Social dialogue is seen as increasingly important. The head of the Oman Chamber of Commerce said disagreements are normal and that without (indulging in) dialogue to resolve them, both employers and workers will lose. It is remarkable if you compare that to some of the other GCC countries,” Burrow stated.

She added that while there are labour camps in Oman that are isolated due to the company’s location and some that need upgrading, it is heartening to visit these humane accommodations.

Even as she was impressed with the labour laws and the present situation in Oman, Burrow said that there are, of course, unresolved issues for both local and migrant workers.

“Many companies still discriminate. There are three differing contracts - for Omani workers; for migrants from the east and for western expats,” Burrow added.

Citing Oman’s General Federation of Omani Trade Unions’ (GFOTU’s) stand on discrimination, she said the Omani trade unions deplored this practice.

Commenting on recruitments, the trade union leader said recruitment practices are more transparent in Oman, but there are loopholes that need to be removed. “There is direct employment and many companies take responsibility. There are recruitment agencies but they are registered and subject to law. Nevertheless, there are illegal practices where employers will claim work, obtain visas and then charge workers a retainer fee for the privilege of being free to work with other employers. While this needs

to be cleared up and unscrupulous employers must be prevented from charging fees for workers to change jobs, the fact is that there is no exit visa,” the official said, while adding that workers are not trapped in Oman as in some of the other GCC countries.

“Domestic workers have to be included in the (ambit of ) labour laws and more work has to be done to ensure equal treatment for all workers,” Burrow added.

Recently, Oman’s trade union leaders had urged the country to set up an independent government body to protect domestic workers.

Commenting on the domestic workers’ crisis, the official said Oman’s trade union federation is alarmed to see companies firing union representatives in what appears to be a blatant discrimination tactic, the latest being at an oil company in Oman.

ARAB WORLD

Oman 5th on innovation index GENEVA: The Sultanate has been ranked fifth in the Arab world and 69th on the world level in Global Innovation Index 2015 which monitors the performance of 141 countries and economies across the world.

The index, published on its website by the UN World Intellectual Property Organization (WIOP) in cooperation with Johnson Cornell University and European Institute of Business Management, depends on 79 in-

dices and sub-indices including the efficiency of universities, the number of patents and the effect of researches for each country separately.

This year’s report focused on ‘Effective Innovation Policies for Development’.

The report pointed out that the developed and developing countries are making steady efforts to benefit from innovation and science in enhancing their economies.

While some countries are successful in doing this, other countries are still no able to reap the benefits of their efforts.

The report pointed out that linking business community with scientific organisations and scientists is one of the main reasons behind economic success.

At the same time, it is one of the main challenges before the growing economies which dedicate the largest chunk of its resources to attract foreign investments. -ONA

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The international community and the EU in particular should adopt a firm position to halt these serious aggressions and violations King Abdullah, of Jordan

75 US-trained rebels enter Syria The fighters trained in a camp near the Turkish capital entered Aleppo province between Friday night and Saturday morning, Rami Abdel Rahman, director of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said

UNSAFE CITY: Syrian women and children walk in a dusty street following an air strike by govern-

ment forces on the rebel held Bustan Al Qasr district in the east of the northern Syrian city of Aleppo on Sunday. -AFP

BEIRUT: Seventy-five Syrian rebels trained to fight extremists under a beleaguered US programme have crossed from Turkey into northern Syria, a US-backed rebel faction and a monitoring group said Sunday.

“Seventy-five new fighters trained in a camp near the Turkish capital entered Aleppo province between Friday night and Saturday morning,” Rami Abdel Rahman, director of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, told AFP. In Washington, the Pentagon declined to elaborate on the report.

“We won’t get into details on

where and when (US-trained rebels) enter the fight for operational security reasons,” said a Pentagon spokesperson who declined to be named.

Training in Turkey But Hassan Mustafa, spokesman for the US-backed Division 30 unit to which some of the rebels were deployed, confirmed the report.

“Their training in Turkey lasted two months and they went directly to the front lines with Daesh.

They are now in the town of Tal Rifaat,” Mustafa told AFP via the

Internet, using an Arabic acronym for the IS group.

He said he could not comment on what sort of weapons or supplies the rebels had brought with them. According to Abdel Rahman, the group had entered in a convoy of a dozen cars with light weapons and ammunition, under air cover from the US-led coalition that has been carrying out strikes against IS in Iraq and Syria.

He said the rebels crossed through the Bab Al Salama border point, the main gateway for fighters and supplies heading into

PA R C H I N

Aleppo province. The supply route has been increasingly targeted by IS extremists seeking to cut off support to rival rebels.

Under fire Abdel Rahman said most of the newly-trained fighters deployed to Division 30 -- the main unit for US-trained fighters -- while others went to support a group called Suqur Al Jabal (Falcons of the Mountain).

Before the fresh batch of fighters, the US-led train-and-equip programme had only managed

to vet and train some 60 rebels to fight IS extremists on the ground.

The $500 million programme run out of Turkey has been fraught with problems. Shortly after the 54 fighters embedded with Division 30 in July, they suffered a devastating assault by Al Qaeda’s Syria affiliate, Al Nusra Front.

More than a dozen of Division 30’s fighters were either killed or kidnapped by Al Nusra, which accused them of being “agents of American interests”.

The United States has since used its air power to help Division 30 push back other Nusra attacks and has said Syrian troops could be targeted if they attacked the US-backed forces.

US officials have also expressed fears Russia may strike Western-backed rebels fighting Syrian President Bashar Al Assad and ultimately risk a confrontation with forces fighting IS. Moscow has been pushing for a broader coalition of forces to take on the extremists.

Local ceasefires Meanwhile, warring parties in Syria agreed to local ceasefires in two minority sect villages in northwestern Syria and a town near the Lebanese border on Sunday, a group monitoring the war and the Al Manar TV station controlled by Lebanon’s Hezbollah reported.

It marks the third local ceasefire agreed in those areas since August, and follows a renewed offensive by insurgents against the two villages -- Al Foua and Kefraya -- since Fri-

day. Both the previous ceasefires collapsed.

The ceasefire came into effect 12 noon (0900 GMT), the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported. It did not say how long it was due to last. No clashes were reported after the ceasefire came into force, the Observatory said.

Al-Foua and Kefraya are being defended by pro-government militia supported by the Lebanese group Hezbollah. The border town included in the ceasefire -Zabadani -- has meanwhile been targeted in a weeks-long offensive by the Syrian army and Hezbollah.

They are seeking to capture it from rebels. Rebels said the rebel-held town of Madaya, next to Zabadani which is also included in the ceasefire and where thousands of civilians have taken shelter, had witnessed heavy shelling overnight by the army in apparent retaliation against the offensive on the two minority sect villages.

106 killed since Friday The Observatory, which tracks the war via a network of sources on the ground, said at least 106 people had been killed in and around Al Foua and Kefraya since Friday.

On the insurgents’ side, the dead included at least 30 foreign fighters including extremists from the Gulf, north Africa, central Asia and members of the Turkistan Islamic Party, said Rami Abdulrahman, directory of the Observatory. The dead on the other side included at least 40 militiamen and seven civilians, he said. -AFP/Reuters

AL AQSA CLASHES

UN nuclear regulator says its Israel arrests 39 Palestinians chief visited military site in Iran VIENNA: The director general of the UN nuclear regulator, which is investigating whether Iran carried out work related to developing an atom bomb, visited a sensitive military site during a trip to the country, the agency said on Sunday.

The military site, called Parchin, has been at the centre of a debate over the level of access that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will have in policing a deal reached in July between Iran and six world powers.

The IAEA is due to issue an assessment this year on “possible military dimensions” of Iran’s nuclear programme under a roadmap agreement accompanying that deal. One open question is whether Iran carried out high-explosives testing at Parchin that could be related to making a nuclear warhead.

“The director general visited the site of Parchin, together with the head of the Department of Safe-

The director general visited the site of Parchin, together with the head of the Department of Safeguards, Tero Varjoranta, the IAEA said

guards, Tero Varjoranta,” the International Atomic Energy Agency said in a statement.

Suspicions Western intelligence agencies have recognised Parchin as a potential chemical, explosives and munitions production site since the 1990s. Suspicions about possible nuclear arms-related research there came later, Western diplomats say.

Tehran denies conducting research related to nuclear weapons

at Parchin or anywhere else in the country.

A spokeswoman for the IAEA declined to provide details on the visit to Parchin by the director general, Yukiya Amano. Iranian state media described it as ceremonial rather than an inspection of the sprawling site. “Yukiya Amano visited the road construction near Parchin facilities,” Behruz Kamalvandi, spokesman for the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, was quoted as saying by state news agency IRNA.-Reuters

OCCUPIED JERUSALEM: Israeli police said on Sunday they had arrested 39 Palestinians in the West Bank and occupied east Jerusalem after days of protest and clashes over the flashpoint Al Aqsa mosque compound.

Palestinians clashed on Friday with Israeli security forces in Jerusalem and several cities in the occupied West Bank, in a “day of rage” to protest an increase in Jewish visitors to Islam’s thirdholiest site.

Jews visited the site in Jerusalem’s Old City for the start of the Jewish New Year last Sunday, sparking days of clashes between Muslims and Israeli police on and near the plaza that houses the famous golden Dome of the Rock shrine and Al Aqsa mosque.

The site is also the most sacred in Judaism, as it is believed to be the location of its first and second temples. Police said they had arrested 12 Palestinians in the West Bank and 27 in annexed east Jerusalem over the previous two days for “disturbing the peace”, “taking part in riots” and “throwing stones and Molotov cocktails”.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday vowed “war” on stone-throwers with tougher penalties and new rules for security forces on when to open fire.

On Sunday, calm had returned to the Al Aqsa compound, with 350 tourists and 150 Jews visiting the

Jordan urges EU to take firm stand against Israel AMMAN: Jordan’s King Abdullah urged the European Union to take a firm stand against Israel over clashes at Occupied Jerusalem’s Al Aqsa mosque compound, as he met the EU president on Sunday.

“The international community and the EU in particular should adopt a firm position to halt these serious aggressions and violations” by the Jewish state, he told Donald Tusk.

site. A controversy has meanwhile been growing over the treatment

by Palestinian police of protesters in the 17 percent of the West Bank that they control, after a video was uploaded showing police beating a protester on Friday in Bethlehem. The video shows half a dozen policemen beating and kicking a young man on the ground.

The Palestinian government said Friday it would open an investigation into the incident, with prime minister Rami Hamdallah

The king, quoted by the royal palace, warned that the Al Aqsa clashes would have “serious consequences,” especially in the absence of peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians that have been stalled since April 2014. Jews visited the site in occupied east Jerusalem for the start of the Jewish New Year on September 13, sparking days of clashes between Muslims and Israeli police. -AFP

calling it “an unacceptable act” and promising to “hold its perpetrators accountable”. A government source who spoke on condition of anonymity said that the video was “very damaging to the Palestinian Authority”.

The authority is already under fire from the extremist opposition and some in the Palestinian public for not having taken any measures against Israel in response to the recent incidents at the Al Aqsa site. -AFP

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A S S E M B LY E L E C T I O N

Shiv Sena jumps in Bihar poll fray; to contest 150 seats PATNA: NDA constituent Shiv Sena, which has no significant presence in Bihar, on Sunday announced it was jumping in the poll fray in the state on its own, and claimed its “anti-migrant” image was due to “canard” spread by rivals.

Party’s national spokesperson Sanjay Raut told reporters that Sena, which is ruling Maharashtra in alliance with BJP, will contest 150 seats in Bihar, where BJP-led alliance is locked in a stiff contest with the Nitish Kumar-led coalition of JD(U)RJD-Congress.

Denying that his party has antipathy for Bihar people, Raut said that on the contrary the people of Maharashtra have strong emotional ties with their counterparts here and respect the Biharis for their patriotism, valour and contributions to freedom struggle.

Asked about allegations of atrocities against migrants, including those from Bihar, in Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra, Raut dismissed them claiming that there was no example of Shiv Sena and its workers targeting migrants.

He alleged that some politicians in Bihar were spreading “canard” instead of focusing on development of the state.

“Some politicians of Bihar are more interested in happenings in Mumbai and making noise about atrocities on migrants than actually doing something for development of the state,” the Shiv Sena leader told reporters on the sidelines of his party’s state convention here.

He said the party has decided to contest the polls in the state on the agenda of Hindutva, poverty alleviation and employment generation. He said the process for selection of Shiv Sena candidates for the polls to 243-member Bihar Assembly, which will be in

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The Shiv Sen and BJP had ended their 25-year-old alliance before the Maharashtra Assembly polls last year over seat sharing

‘India will give better results on investments’ Finance Minister Arun Jaitley says

largely depend

Special focus is being given on improving ease of doing business.

Investors have felt in the past that the procedures have been difficult in India

on bankability

Arun Jaitley

railways, highways and power sectors are among those that require funds and the success of projects

held in five phases from October 12, was nearly complete and the first list will be out by Monday.

Quizzed why Shiv Sena had not joined the BJP-led alliance, he said that his party wants to strengthen its support base in Hindi belt and empower the local people.

The Shiv Sen and BJP had ended their 25-year-old alliance before the Maharashtra Assembly polls last year over seat sharing.

Though the two reunited after the poll results to form a government, the strain in ties has been visible with Sena being openly critical of its dominant partner.

The Shiv Sena leader also took potshot at BJP’s allies in Bihar saying they have been guilty of ideological bankruptcy.

He said a leader who had resigned from the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government post-Gujarat riots in 2002 was part of the NDA, a refernce to LJP supremo Ramvilas Paswan.

Accusing RJD supremo Lalu Prasad and senior JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar of failing to usher in development despite ruling Bihar for the past 25 years, the Sena spokesperson rued that the people of the state despite being talented and hardworking have to migrate to other parts of country, including Mumbai, for work in order to sustain themselves and their families. - PTI

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in these areas would

Finance Minister

HONG KONG: Asserting that India would give better returns on investments than many other countries, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Sunday said foreign investments can provide great additional resources for infrastructure and other sectors.

He said that the government is giving special focus on improving the ease of doing business in the country with initiatives like ‘Make In India’ designed to boost the manufacturing sector that has huge potential.

“India will give better returns than many other countries,” Jaitley said here addressing investors and business leaders.

He said that foreign investments can give great additional resources and that the country’s infrastructure sector needs huge investments.

“Railways, highways and power sectors are among those that require funds and the success of projects in these areas would largely depend on bankability,” the finance minister said.

Jaitley is here for two days seeking to attract foreign investors,

including large asset managers, to the Indian markets.

“Special focus is being given on improving ease of doing business.

Investors have felt in the past that the procedures have been difficult in India,” he said.

Digital India and Make in India (initiatives) are designed to give special boost to manufacturing and India has huge potential in these areas, he added.

According to him, some states were not charging adequate tariff for electricity as a result of which the health of power distribution companies is being affected.

“These states can not expect the PSU banks to fund the deficit of discoms,” Jaitley stressed.

Many discoms are grappling with acute financial stress.

Jaitley said that a key priority of the government was to strengthen the PSU banks.

“Some weaker banks could be merged with stronger banks as just diluting stake would not resolve the problem of NPAs (non performing assets),” he added.

Acknowledging that stalled projects have impacted the balance sheets of private sector companies, Jaitley said the proposed national investment and infrastructure fund would be a “great enabler” to attract investment as well as help repair the balance sheets of affected firms.

The fund would operate independent of the government just as another investor, he added.

Noting that international investors are showing great interest in railways-related areas, the finance minister said the government has kick started many stalled projects in the highways sector.

He also said that pension funds can play a major role in the highways space.

In response to queries about opportunities in the manufacturing and construction businesses, the Finance Minister said he would be happy to encourage investment in the manufacturing sector.

According to Jaitley, setting up of 100 smart cities would give a boost to urbanisation.

Besides, he expressed hope that many states would amend their land acquisition laws.

The Finance Minister, along with a large business delegation from India, began meetings with private equity, asset management companies and other institutional investors here.

Jaitley would address the APICIndia Capital Markets and Institutional Investors Summit here on Monday in his first visit to this global financial centre as India’s Finance Minister.

He would seek to attract global investors to the Indian growth story being pursued amidst global financial markets volatility.

He would also provide insights into how Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government is tackling these challenges.

India has emerged as one of the fastest growing markets globally, despite a turmoil in most of the international markets, while foreign investors have been one of the mainstays of the country’s capital market growth story. - PTI

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If development means benefiting few persons, we will definitely act as a roadblock in such development Sonia Gandhi, Congress President

B I L AT E R A L T I E S

Modi confident of boosting ties with the US on upcoming trip NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday expressed confidence that his upcoming visit to the US will help further deepen the bond between the two countries by building on the “substantial ground” covered during his last trip and President Barak Obama’s visit here earlier this year.

Modi will be undertaking a seven-day trip to Ireland and the US from September 23.

In the first leg of the two-nation tour, he will visit Ireland, marking first Prime Ministerial visit from India in almost 60 years, he said in a statement.

“In Ireland I will hold talks with Enda Kenny, the Taoiseach of Ireland. We hope to further develop strong people-to-people and economic ties with Ireland in the years to come,” Modi said, adding he will also interact with the Indian community.

On September 24, he will commence his visit to USA. “This visit seeks to build on the substantial ground covered during my last visit to USA and President Obama’s visit to India early this year,” the prime minister said.

“I am sure my US visit will be fruitful and further deepen the

bond between the world’s oldest and largest democracies,” he said.

Modi said he was going to USA at a “historic moment” when the United Nations is celebrating its 70th anniversary.

“India attaches great importance to the United Nations. In July, I had written a letter to heads of governments of 193 nations outlining India’s vision for UN agenda and reforms. I am glad that leaders of several nations wrote back appreciating our vision,” he said.

Development agenda In New York City, he will address the UN Sustainable Development Summit for formal adoption of post-2015 new sustainable development agenda.

“Coming from a culture that regards harmony as central to its ethos, I am glad to have an opportunity to address this forum.

The new goals are closely aligned with India’s vision for sustainable development and our flagship programs for the same,” the prime minister said.

“I will also participate in a summit hosted by President Obama on peacekeeping,” he added.

He noted that India has historically been one of the largest con-

This visit seeks to build on the substantial ground covered during my last visit to USA and President Obama’s visit to India early this year Narendra Modi Prime Minister

tributors to the UN peacekeeping forces with 1,80,000 Indian troops having participated in UN peacekeeping missions - more than from any other country.

“We are proud of our peacekeeping forces spread across the world, ensuring peace in difficult circumstances. I will pay homage to all

those brave men and women who sacrificed their lives for peace.

And I look forward to sharing my thoughts on how to make peacekeeping more effective,” he said.

This year, India will host a summit of G-4 leaders in New York where the main agenda would be the UNSC reforms.

“The 70th anniversary of the UN is an apposite moment for reform discussions to be accelerated. Recently, the UN General Assembly finally adopted a document after over 20 years that would form the basis of formal discussions on this matter,” the prime minister said.

Modi said he will also be meeting several world leaders during the visit and have interactions with leading investors and financial sector firms. There will be a working dinner where major Fortune-500 companies will be present to deliberate on investment opportunities in India.

“We have been interacting with several American business leaders over the last year and the outcomes have been encouraging,” the prime minister said.

During his US visit, he will also be visiting the West Coast on September 26 and 27.

“It would be after a gap of almost 33 years that an Indian PM would be visiting the west coast the home of start-ups, innovation and technology,” he said.

Modi will also be visiting Facebook headquarters at the invitation of its CEO Mark Zuckerberg and have a Townhall Q&A there.

“We will discuss some global is-

Congress says it will take fight on land bill to states Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi vowed to fight tooth and nail any attempt to bring back the land ordinance in any form and countered the prime minister’s charge that Congress was blocking development GARNERING SUPPORT: Congress President Sonia Gandhi with party Vice President Rahul Gandhi

during the Kisan Samman rally at Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi on Sunday. - PTI

NEW DELHI: Charging that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has “no time” to meet farmers and hear their woes, Congress on Sunday said it would take the fight on the “anti-farmer” land bill to the states.

Addressing a Kisan Samman rally at Ramlila Ground here, party President Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi vowed to fight tooth and nail any attempt to bring back the land ordinance in any form and countered the prime minister’s charge that Congress was blocking development.

Accusing the prime minister of going back on his promises made during Lok Sabha polls and “talking hollow” after coming to power, she charged the prime minister has “no time” to meet farmers and address their woes as he has time and interest only for his “few industrialist friends”.

“Yes, he has also the interest, time and money for foreign trips,” the Congress president said taking a jibe at Modi’s foreign visits.

Holding that a party, which fought to get India freedom from the Britishers and participated in the growth story of the nation for 60 years cannot be anti-development, Sonia said that whenever the government does not listen to the problems of the farmers and the poor, Congress will stand in its way.

“The Congress will act as an obstacle in their way whenever they stop giving an ear to peoples’ problems, whenever farmers are not given Minimum Support Price, whenever drought and flood affected farmers are left at the mercy of God and the price of edible items is not brought down.

“If development means benefit-

ing few persons, we will definitely act as a roadblock in such development,” she said alleging Modi is trying to paint Congress as anti-development in order to “hide failures” of National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government.

Hailing the farmers as “not only Annadaata but also Bhagyavidhata” (not only food giver but destiny makers)” of the country, she said the farmers are undergoing one after another crisis ever since Modi government came to power.

Battlefield shifted On the land bill she told the farmers, “The fight is yet not finished.

The battlefield has now only shifted from Delhi to states as the prime minister, after having failed to do it at Centre, is trying to get it done in states.

“We need to be all the more

careful now, otherwise your struggle will go in vain and you will driven away from your land.”

Terming the fight on the land issue, a fight for “not only land but honour of farmers, who treat land as mother,” Rahul asked them not to trust the promise made by Modi few days back not to bring changes in United Progressive Alliance land law, which came after Modi government promulgated the ordinance three times to press them.

“We know what Modi ji is. He does not say what he thinks. That is why on one hand, he said that he will change the Congress law and on the other hand asked his chief ministers to bring them (the changes).”

Telling farmers that the fight is not over in Parliament, he said, “I want to tell the leaders of Congress in states. This is not only a

fight of Parliament. This has also to be fought in Assemblies.”

Ahead of Bihar polls, Centre decided not to promulgate the land Ordinance for the fourth time and decided to wait till the Joint Committee of Parliament submits its report on the bill besides allowing states to have their own land laws.

Rahul said Modi’s promise not to press for the ordinance and not to force changes in the bill now is “definitely a victory for Congress but before that it is the victory of farmers of India”, adding the 44 MPs of Congress could successfully fight against Government only because they were backed by the strength of farmers.

Coining a phrase “Take in India” to attack Modi, Rahul attacked the Prime Minister’s much talked about “Make in India” campaign.

“Modi talks about Make in India but there is no place for farmers, labourers in his Make in India.

Modi ji says there can be no Make in India without taking away your land. It is not Make in India but actually Take in India. In the end you will not get anything. Only two three of his friends will be the beneficiaries,” he said.

Rahul also accused the prime minister of working only for his “few friends in suit boot” and paying no attention to farmers.

Reminding farmers of their emotional connect with land, he said that in the course of his agitation against NDA on the land bill issue, “A farmer told me Modi is snatching not land but our mother from us. He wants to snatch our mother from us and want to give it to somebody else. We cannot tolerate it.”

“He asked me to fight for them and then I realized that this is not a fight for land but a fight for their honour, their future.” - PTI

sues and issues relating to India, particularly on the economy and society. This is a Townhall you shouldn’t miss,” Modi said.

He will also visit Google campus and Tesla Motors.

“I will also see some recent technological innovations at the Google (Alphabet) campus and Tesla Motors,” he said.

“An event that I am enthusiastic about is the ‘India-US Start-up Konnect’,” he said about an event where a group of Indian start-ups will showcase their innovations and forge partnerships with the vibrant American start-up industry.

Hub of start-ups He said India is emerging as a hub of start-ups in a wide range of areas and “we aspire to take this further. We want the world to see our innovation capabilities in the start-up sector”.

In San Jose, he will interact with the Indian community on September 27.

“The Indian diaspora has left no stone unturned in strengthening India-USA ties. We are very proud of the accomplishments of our diaspora that has made immense contributions to both our societies,” he said. - PTI ‘ M A N N K I B A AT ’

PM pitches for greater voter turnout in elections NEW DELHI: Ahead of Bihar Assembly polls, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday pitched for greater voter turnout in elections and particularly urged the youth to enroll as voters and exercise their franchise.

In his monthly ‘Mann Ki Baat’ programme on radio, he also appreciated the role of the Election Commission in creating awareness among people about their electoral rights and enrolling voters in greater numbers by evolving various programmes.

Modi did not mention the upcoming Bihar polls but was generally responding to a suggestion by a phone-in caller on greater enrolment of youth as voters.

He emphasised that it was essential for everybody to register as voters and “definitely” exercise franchise.

Recalling his slogan ‘pehle matdaan, fir jalpaan (first vote, then eat), Modi said exercising franchise is “noble work” and everyone should do it. He said in a democracy, every voter is a dispenser of destiny and every person should ensure that their “priceless right” of being a voter is still intact by checking the electoral roll.

“It should be a practice for every person to assess whether he or she is exercising the right to vote.

Patting the Election Commission, he said earlier, it used to be “just a regulator. But over the last few years, the Election Commission has been instrumental in bringing about a change in the mindset of voters. It is now not only a regulator but also a facilitator... It is a welcome change.”

At the same time, he said the task of creating awareness should not be left to the Election Commission only but others should also contribute. - PTI

U T TA R P R A D E S H

In changed political landscape, will Amar-Mulayam ‘bromance’ bear fruit?

LUCKNOW: It is undoubtedly the most keenly followed ‘bromance’ of Uttar Pradesh.

Every time former Rajya Sabha member Amar Singh meets Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and members of his family, rumour mills work overtime to announce the imminent rapprochement between the onetime inseparable duo.

But despite half a dozen official meetings between the two sides and many secret ones, Amar Singh’s re-entry into the party, where his writ ran till a few years ago, sources say, is no “cake walk”.

Having parted ways bitterly and acrimoniously a few years back, senior leaders of the ruling party say re-entry is “neither going to be easy nor welcome”.

“Why should he be brought back into the party fold? He has hurled the choicest expletives on

our leadership, has tried all tricks up his sleeve to humiliate and run down the party, labelled us goons and crooks...for most of us, he continues to be a non-political entity and a pariah,” a senior minister in the UP cabinet said pleading anonymity given the sensitive nature of the issue.

He, however, in the same breath, admitted that the SP chief had indeed gone ‘mulayam’ (soft) on the wily Thakur.

Sources inform that the nowhere Thakur for now is seeking greener pastures within his one-time alma mater, having failed to get success in all other parties - Congress, BJP where he tried his hands while in political wilderness.

“He has tried to cosy up to almost everyone from Sonia Gandhi to Narendra Modi and had, in fact, unsuccessfully contested the Lok Sabha polls last year on Ajit

Mulayam Singh Yadav, left, and Amar Singh.

Singh’s RLD ticket,” said a senior leader, while trying to underline the ‘grasshopper’ tendencies of Amar Singh.

The SP leadership is not only wary of the Thakur but is also circumspect on the “take home” he brings while walking back into the party fold.

Known for his networking in Bollywood and the political class while he was with the SP, insiders say Amar Singh has lost his utility for the party.

“Akhilesh Bhaiyya (Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and Mulayam Singh Yadav’s son) is much more mature. He has his own set of offi-

cials and party leadership to move ahead. I do not see any vacancy for Amar Singh,” a close aide of his chuckled.

Other stumbling blocks in Amar Singh’s entry seemingly are party general secretary Ram Gopal Yadav and minister Mohammad Azam Khan, whose hatred for Amar Singh is well-known and documented.

The duo, who hold sway over the Yadav chieftain, are bitterly opposed to Amar Singh’s re-entry and are said to be trying their best to stall any such move that is in the offing. Khan and Ram Gopal were instrumental in getting Amar Singh kicked out of the party.

Azam Khan and Ram Gopal, cousin of Mulayam, have in the past called him a “dalaal, and good for nothing”. While the public rant has stopped, apparently at the behest of Mulayam, the undercurrent against

Amar Singh has not diminished.

Sources also said that Akhilesh Yadav too is not favourably disposed towards “uncle Amar Singh”.Amar Singh met Akhilesh, Mulayam and Shivpal this week, but there has been very little headway except for niceties.

Amar Singh, on his part, at least does not want to be appearing to prostrate before the Yadav durbar and has maintained that he is “happy” the way he is.

Recently Amar Singh had said that he was “happy taking a back seat” from public life, spending quality time with his wife and twin daughters and caring for his health after his kidney transplant.

The lure of power and politics are, however, two great temptations, it is said. Only time will tell which way the tides turn in this endless political saga in Uttar Pradesh! - IANS

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A Pakistani farmer shifts his cows at an animal market set up for the forthcoming Eid Al Adha in Lahore on Saturday. — AFP

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PTI to approach court over poll campaign ban PTI will file an application with the election body, asking it to let Imran run the by-election campaign since he does not hold any administrative position in the government

ISLAMABAD: Continuing his objection to the Election of Pakistan’s call for a ban on all parliamentarians from participating in by-election campaigns, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insab chief announced on Sunday he would approach the Lahore High Court (LHC) against the polling body’s directives.

The PTI chief also said he would file an application with the ECP regarding the matter.

“As a leader of a party, I want to convey my party’s manifesto to the masses and if am not allowed to do so, what kind of democracy is this?” Imran questioned.

The PTI will file an application with the ECP, asking the election body let Imran run the by-election

Earlier on September 16, the polls regulatory authority had barred all parliamentarians, including Imran Khan, from visiting and taking part in campaigning for by-elections in the National Assembly seats NA-122 of Lahore Imran Khan and NA-154 of Lodhran where tough competition is expected between Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and Pakistan Muslim Leque-Nawaz

campaign since he does not hold any administrative position in the government. The PTI chief also announced that his party would hold a conference on October 4 to address the pressing issue.

Earlier on September 16, the polls regulatory authority had barred all parliamentarians, including Imran Khan, from visiting and taking part in campaigning for by-elections in the National Assembly seats NA-122 of Lahore and NA-154 of Lodhran where tough competition is expected between PTI and Pakistan Muslim Leque-Nawaz (PML-N).

The ECP had issued a notification asking all the members of parliament and provincial assemblies

not to visit constituencies where by-elections are taking place. The directives are part of a new code of conduct the ECP issued recently.

Pakistan Steel Mills Meanwhile, criticising the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), the PTI chief alleged that Pakistan Steel Mills halted its operation because the Sharif family had their own steel business.

“The Steel Mills were closed down because Sharif family wanted to expand their business.”

Earlier, PTI Punjab organiser Chaudhary Sarwar said his party would challenge the ECP order in the Supreme Court as well as with the ECP. — Express Tribune

BOOSTING DEFENCE

Pakistan in talks with Russia to buy Su-35 twin-engine jets ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Russia are in the process of negotiating what analysts believe can be potentially the largest defence deal between the two countries, IHS Jane’s reported.

“The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has discussed buying Su-35 ‘Flanker-E’ fighter jets from Rus-

sia but a final decision is yet to be announced,” the IHS quoted a senior government official as saying.

The senior government official’s remarks come in the wake of Russian media reports that Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov had said talks were underway for an unspecified number

of Su-35s and a recent agreement for provision of Mi-35M ‘Hind E’ attack helicopters to Pakistan.

“It is too early to say if a deal will conclude and the terms,” the official said highlighting Russia’s willingness to sell advanced military hardware to Pakistan despite Moscow’s historic ties with India.

PA R L I A M E N TA RY P R O T E S T

PPP to resist federal ‘interference’ KARACHI: The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has condemned the ‘interference’ of some federal institutions in Sindh and decided to resist such moves by raising the issue in a ‘constitutional manner’ in parliament, as well as in public meetings to be held for the upcoming local government elections in Sindh and Punjab.

This decision was taken in a meeting of PPP’s top leaders in Dubai on Saturday. PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and Co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari presided over the meeting where participants dubbed the actions by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) as ‘political victimisation’ of the PPP. Victimisation “The Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz (PML-N) government has set a new precedent for victimisation. We have decided in principle to consult constitutional experts on the unilateral actions of the federal agencies,” a PPP leader said.

“If the situation persists, we will move the judiciary and pursue other ways to resist these actions by approaching the masses,” he added.

“District-level public gatherings will be organised to expose the real face of the PML-N government.”

Approaching all parties Sources in the party said Saturday’s meeting also discussed the possibility of forming a grand opposition alliance against the PML-N by approaching all parties, including PTI and Jamaat-eIslami, for the local government elections.

“Apart from this, we have decided to revamp the party after the local government (LG) elections. Changes will be made in all party cadres with the approval of Central Executive Committee,” a senior leader said by telephone from Dubai. “The incumbent provincial, divisional and district presidents will be replaced with news faces,” he added.

Sources said Khursheed Shah briefed the meeting about the en-

tire political scenario including raids by the Rangers, the FIA and NAB in Sindh and subsequent arrests of PPP leaders Dr Asim Hussain, Ali Nawaz Shah, and bureaucrats.

“All elected representatives have been asked to raise this issue on the floor of the provincial assemblies, the National Assembly and the Senate by protesting inside and outside the houses,” a party source said.

The meeting decided to organise big rallies in the Sindh and Punjab districts where elections will be held in the first phase of the LG polls on October 31.

Attendees at the meeting included former prime ministers Yousuf Raza Gilani and Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly Khursheed Shah, Senate’s former chairman Nayyar Hussain Bokhari, PPP Central Punjab President Mian Manzoor Watoo, Qamar Zaman Kaira, Chaudhry Manzoor, Senator Aitzaz Ahsan, MNA Faryal Talpur, Senator Sherry Rehman and Senator Taj Haider. — Express Tribune

LETTER TO NEW YORK TIMES

USAID defends its programmes WASHINGTON: The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has defended its programmes in Pakistan in a letter to the editor after the New York Times published an article questioning why the agency is walking away from legal process in Pakistan and highlighting its failure in making substantial contribution to the country.

The organisation which has been operating in Pakistan for

nearly a decade, distributing billions of dollars, was criticised for having made “minimal impact on the ground”, according to the article.

Critics accused the agency of taking up projects with little consideration for local concerns and being needlessly reliant on American contractors with “little development experience”.

Some experts also acknowledged that the agency has been

a victim of anti-American sentiment in Pakistan.

Raza Rumi, a fellow at National Endowment for Democracy in Washington, who has also worked in Pakistan’s development sector said: “I would not say it’s been a failure — they’ve invested money in energy and education — but because of anti-Americanism and their own inability to effectively communicate, this hasn’t been seen.” — Express Tribune

“Pakistan’s interest in the Su35 was driven by the PAF’s need for a twin-engine fighter that can fly for a longer range than the JF-17 and penetrate more deeply into the enemy’s territory,’ the official revealed.

Pakistan currently relies on a mixed fleet of Lockheed Martin F-

16s, Dassault Mirage-5s, Chinese manufactured F-7s and the JF-17 Thunder, which is co-manufactured by Pakistan and China.

Last month, Russia agreed to sell state-of-the-art Mi-35 attack helicopters to Pakistan in what is seen as a ‘paradigm shift’ in Moscow’s policy to increase

defence cooperation between the two countries.

“An agreement was signed between Pakistan and Russian authorities in Rawalpindi for the purchase of four Mi-35 helicopters,” a senior military official had said, not disclosing any further details. — Express Tribune

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n much of America, Syrian refugees are seen as threats, not victims. In June, Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., called a hearing on the issue, arguing that terrorist groups might use refugee programmes “to carry out attacks in Europe and America.” Republican presidential candidate Carly Fiorina has agreed, warning that we have to be “very careful about who we let enter this country.”

These arguments fundamentally misunderstand what it means to be a refugee. Abandoning your home during wartime is not a choice or a political opportunity. It’s a survival instinct, a frantic attempt to protect yourself and your children from violence, starvation or death.

This is a reality I know only too well. Sixteen years ago, I was forced to flee Kosovo after the Serbian military burned my house to the ground. That experience taught me just how desperate life can be for a refugee and how important it is to treat asylum seekers with kindness and grace.

The war in Kosovo began in the spring of 1998, but sporadic fighting between the Kosovo Liberation Army and the Serbian military started much earlier. In 1990, Serbia stripped Kosovo’s Albanians of their political rights and occupied their institutions. In response, the KLA attacked Serbianrun police stations and army bases; eventually they seized control of entire towns.

The Serbians retaliated with a full-scale assault on Kosovo’s ethnic Albanians. Over a couple of months, they forced some 850,000 to flee the country; thousands more were displaced internally.

Endless lines of refugees poured over the borders into neighbouring Albania and Macedonia. It was one of the largest refugee crises in Europe since World War II. At the time, I was 22, living in a small Albanian town just southwest of Kosovo’s capital. Though my family and I worried that we’d be targeted by the Serbs, we stayed. We hoped the war would end before it reached us. And besides, we had nowhere else to go.

We wished in vain. One afternoon in early April 1999, I heard gunshots outside my parents’ house. I dashed through the door to find a dozen uniformed, masked men clutching Kalashnikovs. Grenades and knives were strapped to their hips. They summoned me over and marched me, guns to my back,

toward the town square. As my friends and neighbors looked on, the soldiers began pummeling my body with the butt ends of their rifles. One pressed the barrel of his gun against my chest.

In Albania, we were welcomed into a 1,400-person refugee camp run by Caritas Spain. For 10 weeks, we slept in overcrowded tents, ate canned food and sweated through scorching temperatures.

I became an insomniac and spent hours wandering alone at night through an alien landscape of endless canvas cones. I heard people sobbing in the dark.

Though we were finally out of danger, I felt depressed, heartbroken, hopeless. Without the constant distraction of war, I could obsess over the violence I’d faced, the traumas I’d endured. They haunted me. I struggled, also, to imagine what tomorrow could possibly hold. As a refugee, I had nothing. Where would I be resettled? What would I do? How would I make a living? My future was entirely in somebody else’s hands. That uncertainty only fueled my despair.

In July 1999, my family and I returned to Kosovo. I worked for the United Nations for a few years, then moved to the United States on a student visa. I stayed to finish college, earn two graduate degrees and start a family. The Syrian conflict is much larger and more complex than the crisis in Kosovo. An estimated 9 million Syrians have fled their homes since 2011, when the war began. Of the 4 million refugees registered with the United Nations, 1.6 million are children under the age of 11; 708,000 are 4 years old or younger.

We had other advantages, too. The Kosovars were welcomed to Albania — thousands of families offered to host refugees in their homes. We shared a language and a culture. The Syrians, on the other hand, face angry officials, threats of arrest and a rash of hostility from border countries.

Still, as I watch news reports chronicling asylum seekers’ desperate boat trips to Europe, I’m struck not by our differences but by our similarities. I hear men and women speak of the amorphous trauma of leaving home behind. I see children, smiling and playful despite the chaos of war. And I catch glimmers of hope amid the despair.

The loss of a home is a near-impossible burden.

Europeans and Americans must do everything they can to make the Syrian refugees feel safe and welcome. - The Washington Post

READERS’ FORUM Never risk your life for the sake of a selfie This refers to the news story, ‘Is perfect selfie worth dying for?’

(September 20). With advancing mobile technology, this comes as no surprise. It seems capturing ‘live’ events has its own thrill and charm. This gives the selfie buffs a good reason to display their craft on the social media in the hope of receiving encouraging comments. This inspires them to ignore the basic safety norms. These days, when an accident takes place on the road, there will be someone capturing it live on the mobile. Some people believe that sharing such videos or photographs would help them getting public admiration. I don’t believe this is so because of a lack of awareness. In fact, these people get a lot of pleasure from this act. The new generation must be well aware of the risks involved and should not ignore the essenScan this QR code tial safety norms. I think that reports of to send letters to the this kind would remind people to rethink Readers’ Forum, containing not more their actions and the repercussions it than 200 words with could have for them and others. full name, address — Ramachandran Nair, Ruwi and telephone number, may be sent by mail (Times of Oman, P.O. Box 770, P.C. 112, Ruwi).

Thai activists should wait until Thailand’s next elections

This refers to the online story, ‘Hundreds of Thais defy protest ban in anti-junta march’ (September 20). I fail to understand why such a rally was held in the first place? In the fight against corruption, Thailand’s army rulers have taken exceptional strides. Its’ foolish of these activists to protest when the right way would be to wait until the next elections are held. — Mathew Harold, Muscat

This ought to be Tim Farron’s great moment. The Labour Party has been taken over by the hard left, which ought to be a huge opportunity for a party of the centre. Yet the leader of the Liberal Democrats seems peripheral to the historic reshaping of British politics bit.ly/labourpartynodefections

CLIPPINGS FROM OUR ARCHIVES SEPTEMBER 2000 Macki opens seminar on international trade MUSCAT: Ahmed bin Abdulnabi Macki, minister of national economy and deputy chairman of the financial affairs and energy resources council, opened a seminar on Uruguay round and AGCC’s negotiations on agriculture at Oman Sheraton Hotel here yesterday. The five-day seminar is being organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in cooperation with the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC).

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M O N DAY, S E P T E M B E R 2 1 , 2 0 1 5 It is an anomaly on the continent of Africa that we seem to have gone through the eye of the storm, and that poaching is on the decrease here Iain Douglas-Hamilton, Head of conservation group Save the Elephants

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SPECIAL

STRUGGLING TO STEM POACHING: An elephant approaches a helicopter in Samburu game reserve. As elephant poaching in Africa by organised crime gangs using high-tech equipment rises, those working to stop their extinction in the wild have turned to technology too. - AFP

TURNING TO TECH TO SAVE TUSKERS

ENDANGERED: Kenya is struggling to stem poaching to protect its remaining elephant population — currently estimated at 30,000 — and

just over a thousand rhinos. - AFP

With ivory raking in thousands of dollars a kilo in Asia, conservationists have warned that African elephants could be extinct in the wild within a generation

SAMBURU (Kenya): As elephant poaching in Africa by organised crime gangs using high-tech equipment rises, those working to stop their extinction in the wild have turned to technology too.

In the remote wilds of northern Kenya’s Samburu reserve, the latest technology from US Internet giant Google creates three-dimensional maps using data from satellite tracking elephant collars, providing security for the animals in the short term, and helping protect their habitat in the long term.

“It is a priceless bank of information,” said Iain Douglas-Hamilton, head of conservation group Save the Elephants, demonstrating the complex near-real time map, where tiny elephant computer icons are shown moving across an enormous television screen.

With ivory raking in thousands of dollars a kilo in Asia, conservationists have warned that African elephants could be extinct in the wild within a generation.

But the decade-long collaboration between the conservationists and Google has meant that, at least in this small corner of Kenya, poaching is at last on the decline.

“It is an anomaly on the continent of Africa that we seem to have gone through the eye of the storm, and that poaching is on the decrease here,” Douglas-Hamilton said, although warning there could be no let up in efforts.

The mapping technology is protected from would-be poachers with tough security measures.

“We’re able to use the tracking technology overlaid on Google

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Earth - and hence understand their migration patterns, and therefore build better protection around that,” said Farzana Khubchandani of Google. Each collared elephant shows up on a map overlaid with land use, as farmland and development encroach ever closer on wilderness areas. “Hundreds have been tagged since 2005 all across Africa,” Douglas-Hamilton said, adding that today 85 are collared, half in northern Kenya, the rest across the continent, including in Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Kenya is struggling to stem poaching to protect its remaining elephant population — currently estimated at 30,000 — and just over a thousand rhinos. Samburu, some 300 kilometres (185 miles) north of the capital Nairobi, is home to around 900 elephants.

But conflict between elephant and man is increasingly common, with livestock encroaching onto the park as drought bites.

“In the short term, it helps improve security for the animals,” Douglas-Hamilton adds, as close by, a bull elephant sniffs a helicopter visiting the reserve, before deciding it is harmless and continuing to drink in the river.

“In the long term, it allows better planning to establish corridors for the animals - areas often ex-

CONSERVATIONIST FIGHTS POACHING: Conservationist Ian Doug-

las-Hamilton stands next to a vehicle destroyed by an elephant in Samburu game reserve. Google has created three-dimensional maps using data from satellite tracking elephant collars, providing security for the animals in the short term, and helping protect their habitat in the long term. - AFP

tremely vulnerable to human development,” he added.

‘Elephantocide’ The technology is not cheap: each collar costs some $8,000 (7,000 euros) to buy, fit and maintain.

“The collars are able to tell us an animal is immobile, so we’re able to react very quickly to send our patrol teams,” said David Daballen, Save the Elephant’s head of field operations, lifting the giant collars.

Complementing the maps, researchers track the complex elephant family trees, recording

every animal with long registration numbers. But on the ground, efforts to protect the elephants are also deeply emotional for the conservationists.

“That’s Flaubert, he’s 26, the one with the collar,” said DouglasHamilton, sweeping back his grey hair as he leans excitedly out of the pickup, driving slowly through the “Artists” family of elephants, with each group given a different theme of names. “There’s Rodin, and Matisse — but Gauguin sadly died,” adds the 73-year old British zoologist, naming each of the 23 animals

ELEPHANT TRACKING COLLAR: A man holds up an elephant track-

ing collar in Samburu game reserve. - AFP

grazing among the bushes lining the Ewaso Ng’iro river, a lifeline snaking through the 165 square kilometre reserve. Douglas-Hamilton, who has spent his life among the giant animals and talks of an “elephant genocide”, explains it is the individual names given to the elephants he knows them by.

This month Google launched their Street View service in Samburu, part of a bid to raise awareness of the park and elephants, as well as boosting education and promote tourism.

But old tracking systems re-

main: outside the research centre in Samburu, long sad lines of dozens of elephant jaws are laid out, all killed by poachers or drought, the teeth of each providing valuable data as to their age at death.

“Here was one bullet, here another,” said Daballen, lifting a bleached shoulder bone, belonging to an elephant called Ebony.

Those gunshots did not in fact kill Ebony, finally felled in May 2011 by a bullet to the head. “We’re doing all we can, but the poachers are not going away,” he added, waving at the lines of bones. - AFP

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Tatars launch Crimea road blockade The protesters used concrete blocks to partially seal off the three roads linking mainland Ukraine to Crimea to halt the delivery of goods

CHONGAR, UKRAINE: Hundreds of pro-Kiev activists from Crimea’s Tatar community on Sunday launched a blockade of roads from Ukraine to the peninsula to protest Russia’s seizure of their home region.

Accompanied by members of the Ukrainian ultra-nationalist Pravy Sektor group, protesters from the Muslim Tatar community used concrete blocks to partially seal off the three roads linking mainland Ukraine to Crimea in an attempt to halt the delivery of goods.

Tatar leaders said they were

aiming to block supplies to protest the “numerous violations of their rights by Russian authorities”.

“Our goal is to end the occupation of Crimea and to restore the territorial integrity of Ukraine,” Refat Chubarov, one of the leaders of the Crimean Tatar community, told journalists.

An AFP journalist at the scene reported that dozens of lorries were backed up at two crossing points into Crimea but drivers and Ukrainian officials said this was due to lengthy custom checks on the Russian side.

Russia seized the Crimean pen-

insula from Ukraine in March 2014 after deploying thousands of special forces troops following the ouster of Kremlin-backed leader Viktor Yanukovych in Kiev.

Most of the 300,000-strong Tatar community strongly opposed Russia’s annexation of Crimea, condemned by Kiev and the West as an illegal land grab, and have since faced a crackdown that has seen activists detained and leaders barred from the region.

The Tatars were exiled by Stalin to Central Asia during World War II, with almost half perishing in harsh conditions. -AFP

CHECKPOINT: Crimean Tatars pray as they block road at the checkpoint between Ukraine and Crimea, in Chongar, on Sunday. -AFP

M O N DAY, S E P T E M B E R 2 1 , 2 0 1 5

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WORLD New constitution adopted

by Nepal amidst violence

C R OAT I A B O R D E R

Hungary seals route used by migrants BARANJSKO PETROVO SELO/TOVARNIK (CROATIA): Hungary erected a steel gate and fence posts at a border crossing with Croatia on Sunday, moving to seal a route used by its southern neighbour to offload thousands of migrants, a Reuters cameraman said.

Croatia has sent dozens of buses packed with migrants through the Baranjsko Petrovo Selo-Beremend crossing since they began streaming over its eastern border with Serbia five days ago.

More still have crossed by train, boarded by hundreds in chaotic scenes repeated on Sunday when rain-soaked migrants climbed through carriage windows at the Croatian border station of Tovarnik.

Hungary has barred their entry into the European Union via its border with Serbia with a metal fence and a raft of strict asylum rules, forcing them west into Croatia.

Fast losing control over an influx of some 25,000 migrants, Croatia - the EU’s newest member - has taken to sending them north by bus and train across its own border with Hungary, which has waved them on to Austria.

the planned internal borders will leave some historically marginalised groups under-represented in parliament.

They include the Madhesi and Tharu ethnic minorities who mainly inhabit Nepal’s southern plains, along the border with India.

“In this happy moment we have been unable to include half of Nepal’s population,” said senior Maoist leader Baburam Bhattarai, a former prime minister, referring to the densely populated southern region known as the Terai.

“It is not time for us to celebrate yet.”

The charter, the first to be drawn up by elected representatives, had been voted into law on Wednesday after the main political parties — spurred by a deadly earthquake to shelve differences — agreed on a new federal structure MOMENTOUS OCCASION: Nepalese assembly members watch President Ram Baran Yadav promul-

gate the new constitution at the constituent assembly building in Kathmandu on Sunday. — AFP

KATHMANDU: Nepal on Sunday adopted a new constitution aimed at bolstering its transformation to a peaceful democracy after decades of political instability and a long civil war, even as protests raged over its terms.

The charter, the first to be drawn up by elected representatives, had been voted into law Wednesday after the main political parties -- spurred by a deadly earthquake to shelve differences -- agreed on a new federal structure.

Firecrackers went off in celebration in Kathmandu as President Ram Baran Yadav announced the adoption of the long-delayed constitution at a ceremony in parliament.

“I congratulate all Nepali brothers and sisters on this historic moment, the announcement of Nepal’s constitution from the Constituent Assembly by the representatives of the people

Angry exchanges The move has triggered angry exchanges between Zagreb and Budapest indicative of the disarray in Europe over the largest migration of people westwards since World War II. Hungary,, says it is completing another fence on a 41 kilometre (25.5 miles) stretch of its frontier with Croatia to keep them out.

A cameraman on the Croatian side of the border saw construction crews and soldiers erecting a gate and driving fence posts some three metres high into the ground, suggesting they were close to sealing the Beremend crossing.

More migrant buses were on their way from the nearby Croatian town of Beli Manastir. — Reuters

that began when Maoist fighters laid down their arms in 2006 after a decade-long insurgency aimed at abolishing an autocratic monarchy and creating a more equal society.

But its adoption follows weeks of clashes between police and protesters that have left more than 40 people dead, among them two children and a police officer lynched as he was driven to hospital in an ambulance.

UNREST: Nepalese plainclothes policemen investigate the charred

remains of a bus, which was set alight during a general strike call by the hardline faction of former Maoist rebels, in Kathmandu on Sunday. — AFP

for democratic rights, economic prosperity and national unity,” he said.

“The democratic revolution of Nepal’s people which began

FIGHT AGAINST IS, KURD REBELS

More than 100,000 gather at Erdogan anti-terror rally ISTANBUL: More than 100,000 people — many waving Turkish flags — attended an “anti-terrorism” rally in Istanbul Sunday, AFP reporters estimated, as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan presses a major offensive against Kurdish rebels.

The huge crowd thronged Yenikapi Square on the shores of the Marmara Sea for the demonstration, which was to culminate with an address by Erdogan.

On Thursday, thousands took part in a similar rally in the capital Ankara to denounce the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which has killed dozens of police and soldiers in a string of attacks in the mainly Kurdish southeast since the collapse of a two-year ceasefire in July.

Many of the demonstrators wore red headbands that eulogised the slain security force members as “martyrs”.

“Martyrs never die, the homeland cannot be divided,” the headbands read.

November 1 elections Erdogan’s two-month-old offensive against the outlawed PKK -which comes as the country prepares for a November 1 general election -- has divided Turks.

His critics accuse him of using a suicide bombing in a southeastern Turkish town that was blamed on the IS group as a pretext for reigniting a three-decade conflict with the PKK for electoral gain. Erdogan has tarred the PKK and IS with the same brush of extremism, but devoted much more firepower to airstrikes on PKK’s bases along Turkey’s border with Iraq than to air raids against the Kurds’ extremist foes.

No political emblems were visible among the sea of red Turkish flags in Istanbul but many of the demonstrators expressed fervent support for Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party (AKP).

“We will support Erdogan to the end. We are behind him because he defends our flag and our nation,” Gunel Yildiz, a 43-yearold textile industry worker, who

ON A MISSION: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, right,

and his wife Emine Erdogan, greet supporters during an ‘antiterorrism’ rally in Istanbul on Sunday. — AFP

VOCIFEROUS SUPPORT: People wave Turkey’s flags and shout slogans during a rally against recent Kurdish militant attacks on Turkish security forces in Istanbul, Turkey, on Sunday. — Reuters

carried a giant Turkish flag, told AFP. The AKP is looking to the upcoming election to reverse the losses it sustained in the last election in June, which stripped it of its governing majority, forcing it it into coalition talks that ended in failure.

The big winner of that vote was the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) which took votes from the AKP to win seats in parliament for the first time.

“Believe me the terrorists won’t return to parliament,” Alev Ak-

murat, a 22-year-old student said.

“The AKP will regain power, God willing,” he added.

‘HDP a front for the PKK’ The government has accused the HDP of being a front for the PKK, allegations the party -- which also enjoys support among non-Kurds -- rejects. While the timing of the offensive against the rebels has raised eyebrows in Turkey and abroad, the PKK’s bloody response has caused widespread anger. — AFP

nearly seven decades ago and the people’s wish for long-term peace has become a reality today.”

The new constitution is the final stage in a peace process

Protester killed One protester was killed on Sunday when police fired into a crowd which had defied a curfew in the southern district of Parsa to demonstrate against plans to divide the world’s youngest republic into seven federal provinces.

The move to create a new federal structure that will devolve power from the centre has widespread support, but critics say

Lawmakers’ homes Police spokesman Kamal Singh Bam said protests had been held in several parts of the Terai, where some lawmakers’ homes had been vandalised, although the rest of the country was largely calm.

Neighbouring India said in a statement it was concerned by the clashes near the border and called for differences to be resolved “through dialogue in an atmosphere free from violence and intimidation”.

Work on the constitution began in 2008 after the Maoists won parliamentary elections and abolished the monarchy.

It was initially supposed to finish by 2010, but the Maoists were unable to secure enough support for the two-thirds majority needed to push it through parliament.

The three biggest forces in parliament — the Nepali Congress, UML and Maoist parties — finally reached agreement in June, spurred by a 7.8-magnitude earthquake two months earlier that killed nearly 8,900 people and destroyed around half a million homes.

But there has been strong opposition from some quarters, including Hindu groups who do not believe Nepal should be a secular state. — AFP

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WORLD

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Greek leftist leader Tsipras wins election The updated figures on behalf of the country’s main five TV stations gave conservative New Democracy between 28.5 and 30 per cent of the vote, securing victory for Greek leftist leader Alexis Tsipras but without

ANXIOUS WAIT: People look at exit polls on giant screens outside the New Democracy election kiosk in Syntagma square after polls closed in a general election in Athens, Greece on Sunday. — Reuters

an absolute majority

ATHENS: Greek leftist leader Alexis Tsipras has won the general election, picking up between 33 and 35 per cent of the vote, the latest estimates showed Sunday.

The updated figures on behalf of the country’s main five TV stations gave conservative New Democracy between 28.5 and 30 per cent of the vote, securing victory for Tsipras but without an absolute majority.

Official results — with 15 per cent of the vote counted — confirmed the trend, with Syriza earning 35.12 per cent over New Democracy’s 28.41 per cent.

The nationwide results also showed neo-Nazi party Golden Dawn in clear control of third place with 7.35 per cent.

Tsipras earlier on Sunday de-

clared he was confident of winning a second mandate to reform and revive the nation’s economy after a first tumultuous seven months. Wearing his trademark open shirt and cheery smile, he said after casting his ballot that voters will elect “a fighting government” ready for the “confrontations necessary to move forward with reforms”.

Hands-down winner of a January general election, then with 36.34 per cent of the vote, Tsipras

resigned in August and called snap elections, gambling crisisweary Greeks would give him a new mandate despite his controversial austerity deal with European leaders.

After winning office on an anti-austerity ticket, he agreed in July to more punishing austerity for the nation in exchange for its third financial rescue in five years.

He later argued he had effectively saved Greece from a chaotic exit from the eurozone. — AFP

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NON-BANKING FINANCE FIRMS

Oman’s leasing firms achieve robust growth in first half Times News Service MUSCAT: Oman’s leasing sector has achieved a healthy growth of 12.3 per cent in net profit to reach OMR15.4 million for the first half of 2015 fromOMR13.7 million for the same period last year.

This was supported by growth in demand for retailcredit and corporate loan in the aftermath of sig-

nificant government investment in infrastructure projects for the first half of this year, according to a detailed study conducted by Al Maha Financial Services.

Leasing companies, which is also known as non-banking finance companies, have witnessing steady growth benefitting from the continuing economic development, increasing small and

medium enterprise participation coupled with Sultanate’s rising population having favourable demographics like large segment of youth population and higher disposable income levels.

According to Al Maha Financial Services study, the combined gross lease receivables surpassed OMR1 billion last year to touch OMR1.08 billion by end-June 2015, in-

creasing 7.8 per cent from that of OMR0.997 billion for the same period last year.

Gross lease receivables on a quarter-on-quarter basis grew by 1.9 per cent from OMR1.06 billion by the end of the first quarter of 2015.

Leasing sector has achieved marked growth for the first half of 2015 supported by rising interest

income as well as reduction in interest expenses.

The six leasing companies in the country demonstrated improvement in their overall financial performance for the first half of the year despite stiff competition from banking institutions and among themselves.

Each of the six companies posted a healthy growth in earnings

that was supported by an increase in installment finance activities.

“Improving income along with lower borrowing costs and expenses enabled the leasing companies to achieve impressive earnings growth,” said the study report.

The leasing sector targets the medium to small-scale business enterprises and individuals for lending. > B4

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MARKET Oman, Iran plan joint development of oilfield The two countries are discussing the joint development of the shared Hengam oilfield, says Saeed Hafezi, managing director of the Iranian Offshore Oil Company

Times News Service MUSCAT: Iran and Oman are discussing the joint development of the shared Hengam oilfield, according to Saeed Hafezi, managing director of the Iranian Offshore Oil Company (IOOC).

“We have held three rounds of talks with Omani officials. Cooperation with neighbouring countries in developing oil and gas fields would certainly boost

UNDER DISCUSSION: Saeed Hafezi, managing director of the Iranian Offshore Oil Company, said they

have held three rounds of talks with Omani officials. – File picture

extraction from hydrocarbon reserves,” Hafezi said, Iran’s ‘Financial Tribune’ daily reported, citing the Mehr News Agency.

The official noted that the National Iranian Oil Company “prefers cooperation over competition,” but any bilateral agreement would depend on the determination of those on the other side of the negotiating table.

According to the report, the field, 80 per cent of which lie in the Iranian territory, is estimated

to contain 700 million barrels of oil and 56 billion cubic meters of gas. Production started in late 2010, with Iran currently drawing 15,000 bpd from the field, down from 28,000 bpd, while Oman’s crude production has halved overtime to 5,000 bpd.

Iranian Offshore Oil Company’s crude production is close to 500,000 barrels per day, but the company aims to increase the output by 32,000 barrels in the short run, and by 130,000 and

400,000 barrels in medium- and long-term respectively.

The oilfields under development by IOOC hold an estimated 100 billion barrels of crude, comprising roughly 15 per cent of the country’s total oil reserves.

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B E R L I N FA I R

Huawei unveils latest smartphone Times News Service MUSCAT: Huawei Consumer Business Group unveiled the Huawei Mate S smartphone earlier this month at IFA technology show in Berlin, revolutionising touch technology.

Its ergonomic, luxurious design and innovative technology deliver a premium android experience that surpasses industry expectations once again.

The Huawei Mate S’ touch screen control technology offers an unconventional design that strikes a balance between the phone’s brilliant capabilities and its stunning visual appearance.

Building on the revolutionary Huawei Mate 7 smartphone, the Huawei Mate S features a 2.5D floating screen that is 5.5 inches long and 7.2mm thick, with side edges that are just 2.65mm. The arched back cover fits perfectly into the palm of a hand, while its curved surface features solid pressure and weight, making the phone less likely to be dropped.

With the texture of the amoled screen, Huawei Mate S presents a perfect curve.

The curved back cover of the Huawei Mate S features a laminated ladder battery and a staggered height printer circuit board layout design. It also uses a na-

nometer shooting technique to seamlessly connect the phone’s antenna and metal, resulting in a smooth feel. Additional cutting-edge technology, including diamond cutting, CNC carving, nanotechnology and a sapphire camera are part of the phone’s seamless metal body.

Measuring weights Touch is a core of the Huawei Mate S, creating a new experience for users that enhances their interaction with the device. When viewing photos, they can be quickly previewed and enlarged by pressing the screen with one finger, streamlining the operations of a traditional phone.

The Huawei Mate S can also be used as a scale to weigh objects. Huawei revealed the new pressure-sensitive technology which can be used to weigh small objects. Huawei demonstrated that the device could be used to measure the weights of objects between 100g and 400g.

The phone is equipped with Fingerprint 2.0, an upgraded version of the advanced chip level security and one-key unlock technology in the Huawei Mate 7. Fingerprint 2.0 improves recognition speeds by 100 per cent, with more accurate self-learning functions.

KPMG

Seminar updates professionals on international financial reporting and ACCA’s IFRS diploma training program and IAB training for graduates and finance professionals in Oman.

Times News Service MUSCAT: In a move to update finance professionals, KPMG conducted its annual International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) seminar for clients recently, which brought together professionals across the business community and government sectors.

Ahmed Tufail, Partner KPMG in Oman, mentioned that this demonstrates the keen desire of the finance community to be updated with the latest developments in the standards. It also reflected the popularity of the speaker, Yusuf Hassan, who has been hosting these seminars in the region for almost 9 years.

Yusuf Hassan, Partner in KPMG’s Accounting Advisory Services has been actively involved in IFRS trainings in the region. The region spans 20 countries in the Middle East and includes Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates.

Yusuf works closely with clients, engagement teams and institutes helping them to acquire broader competency, find better solutions to financial reporting challenges and effectively navigate through a dynamic environment.

He carries out number of training courses across the Middle East and South Asia each year in

TRAINING: Yusuf Hassan, Partner in KPMG’s Accounting Advisory Services, has been actively involved in International Financial Reporting Standards training in the region. – Supplied picture

support of these establishments and makes a proactive contribution in support of accounting at regional, national and practice level. He is recognised as an expert in the field of IFRS and has been contributing time and effort to support in professional development and knowledge transfer.

New standards Ahmed established the theme of the seminar whilst addressing the gathering. He noted that the new standards issued and International Financial Reporting Standards

board’s latest developments, including active projects and practical application surrounding the standard on revenue recognition (IFRS 15), which is expected to be effective from December 31, 2018.

Ahmed stated that KPMG Business School has played an important role in transferring knowledge to a wide range of businesses and helps them respond to opportunities and challenges, improve their performance and increase their value. KPMG Business School has successfully launched Basic Accounting

IFRS 9 and IFRS 15 During the seminar, Yusuf focused on the forthcoming developments and International Accounting Standards Board’s latest developments, including active projects. In particular, he focused on the standards IFRS 9 and IFRS 15 effective from annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018.

The seminar was interactive.

Several participants shared their own experiences and challenges in this area and welcomed the suggestions made by others and the KPMG team.

KPMG said that it will also be conducting tax seminar on October 12, 2015 to provide an update on current tax issues, and developments in local tax practices for professionals that have an involvement in the day-to-day management of tax.

KPMG employs more than 162,000 people and operates in 155 countries worldwide. In the Lower Gulf, comprising Oman and UAE, KPMG employs more than 850 professionals and operates from seven offices in Muscat, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Jebel Ali.

BUDGET GAP

Russia likely to raise taxes on oil producers MOSCOW: Russia may raise taxes on its main source of revenue — crude producers — to narrow its budget deficit starting from next year, two people with knowledge of the matter said.

The authorities in Moscow have started discussions with companies about changing at least a crude-extraction tax formula, one of the people said. The modification, if approved, could bring the state about 609 billion roubles (around $9 billion) next year and 1.6 trillion through 2018, he said, citing Finance Ministry estimates. Both people asked not to be identified because the information isn’t public yet.

Russia’s oil producers haven’t been impacted much by the drop in prices thanks to a weakening ruble, while “the government take has fallen a great deal,” said Sarah Emerson, managing director of ESAI Energy, a consulting company in Wakefield, Massachusetts.

“We won’t know if there will be an impact on production until we get all the details.”

Various measures While different ministries are now suggesting various measures to increase budget revenue and reduce spending, there’s no final decision yet, Natalya Timakova, a spokeswoman for Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, said by phone on Friday. Officials should agree on the measures to be included in next year’s budget, she said. The government is set to submit the draft budget to parliament by October 25.

The world’s biggest energy exporter is struggling to shake off its first recession in six years after a slump in oil prices. Russia relies on oil and gas for about half of its budget earnings, with taxes on the extraction and export of crude accounting for about 32 per cent of revenue. These earnings were 2.49 trillion roubles from January to July, 16 per cent lower than a year ago, according to Bloomberg calculations based on Russia’s Treasury data.

Russia is facing an “unprecedented” financial squeeze from the selloff in oil. - Bloomberg News

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MARKET BRIEFS

Regulator imposes fine on insurance brokerage firm MUSCAT: Abdullah bin Salim Al Salmi, executive president of the Capital Market Authority (CMA) has issued a disciplinary decision to impose a financial penalty on Royal Nawras insurance brokers for violating the provisions of Article 17 of the Insurance Brokers’ Regulation. The regulation requires the broker to file the audited annual accounts and balance sheet within three months from the end of the financial year. The regulation was issued to upgrade and regulate the performance of insurance brokers. The CMA emphasised the importance of compliance with the laws and regulations governing the sector to ensure fairness and protection.

Al Hassan’s Abu Dhabi arm bags $7.25m project MUSCAT: Al Hassan Engineering Company Abu Dhabi (controlled by Al Hassan Engineering owning 49 per cent of its share capital), has received a Letter of Award for $7.250 million from GS Engineering & Construction, Korea, for civil works at Rumaitha/Shanayel Phase-III project. The project duration is seven months from October and the company expects reasonable income from this project, according to a regulatory filing.

Al Hassan Engineering bags $12m PDO contract MUSCAT: Al Hassan Engineering has received a Letter of Award from Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) for the ‘Mabrouk pipeline construction project’ for approximately $12 million.

The project duration is 13 months and the company expects reasonable income from the project, according to the filing to the Muscat Securities Market.

Singapore most preferred place for Indian travellers MUMBAI: Singapore has secured the top position on the list of most preferred overseas destinations for Indian travellers in first half of this year, replacing Dubai, a Hotels.com’s Hotel Price Index (HPI) survey said. According to the recent survey, Singapore, also called the ‘Lion City’, topped the chart rallying ahead of Dubai which was at the top spot on the list during the same period last year. The data is drawn from bookings made on the thousands of hotels on the Hotels.com websites worldwide. Hotels.com is a leading online accommodation booking website with properties ranging from international chains and all-inclusive resorts to local favourites.

- Times News Service/Agencies

‘Misconceptions on Islamic banking should be dispelled’ ing good services and good returns to both clients and investors.

Bank Nizwa chief executive officer said that many market participants perhaps believe that Islamic banking is just a way to ‘Islamise’ interest and they keep comparing Islamic banks with conventional banks

ELHAM POURMOHAMMADI

dedicated Islamic bank.

elham@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: There are some misconceptions about Islamic banking in Oman, which need to be dispelled through raising awareness about this sector, says a senior official at Bank Nizwa.

“Perhaps many market participants believe that Islamic banking is just a way to ‘Islamise’ interest and they keep comparing Islamic banks to conventional banks,” Dr Jamil El Jaroudi, chief executive officer of Bank Nizwa, told Times of Oman in an exclusive interview.

“At Bank Nizwa, it is not only our belief, but also our commitment to build Islamic banking true to its core based on Sharia,” said the official at Oman’s first

Innovation El Jaroudi noted that they do not want to simply replicate what is out there in the conventional banking and continuously try to innovate and build an industry based on Sharia objectives, and not necessarily just to be Shariacompliant.

“However, during the initial phase, we do have to provide alternatives to the current conventional products to suit the demand of customers. This process will take time. In the meantime, we can help to re-design the basic concept of finance based on Sharia, which is more equitable to all rather than only based on debt,” he said.

CLARION CALL: Dr Jamil El Jaroudi says that at Bank Nizwa, it is not only the belief, but also the commitment to build Islamic banking true to its core based on Sharia. – Times file picture

‘Social philanthropic’ “Another misconception is that Islamic banking is similar to a social philanthropic entity. Accordingly, why do Islamic banks ask for profit margins and fees and this is why knowledge about this industry is imperative to succeed,” the official added.

“Yes, there are ethical and social obligations but above all, Islamic banks are commercial and

profit oriented businesses owned by investors who chose to put their wealth at work in a Shariacompliant manner,” El Jaroudi explained.

Asked what Islamic banking provides should do to help enhance the performance of this sector, the chief executive officer of Bank Nizwa said that they need to grow to a certain size to be able to compete on equal footings, mean-

LOCAL PRODUCTS

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ECONOMIC RECOVERY

Drive to create awareness on Omani products among school children Times News Service MUSCAT: To create awareness among the school community on the quality and competitive characteristics of the locally manufactured products, the Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (PEIE) organised Omani products’ exhibition in Al Buraimi governorate on Sunday The event was organised at Hafsa bint Sireen School for Basic Education (5-10) in Al Buraimi Governorate under the auspices of Moosa bin Ali Al Hinai, director general of education in Al Buraimi Governorate.

Organised by the PEIE’s Omani Products’ Department, in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, a group of local companies representing various industrial sectors took part in the exhibition in addition to the showcasing of handicrafts.

“We are proud to host the Omani Products’ Exhibition at our school. We always aim at supporting the locally manufactured products especially that there are massive imported products competing with the Omani products in terms of the price, quality and promotion,” said Badriya Al Ma’amari, the school’s principal.

“In fact, Omani consumers

Protection “Islamic banks need to be protected, may be incentivised as well, until it gets there because the ultimate beneficiary is the economy of Oman,” he said.

In addition, El Jaroudi said that Oman can learn from the Islamic finance experience of its neighbouring countries as well as other countries in the Far East and other regions.

“Oman has the advantage of seeing and learning from the experiences of the other markets, be it good or bad. If you look at Oman’s Islamic banking regulations, it is very much influenced by this, in addition to choosing what Oman decides is right for its market,” he said.

“However, learning does not stop here. Now we need to dig more into the main benefits of Islamic finance to economies in general and be prepared to modify or add what benefits the Sultanate the most,” El Jaroudi stated.

MADE IN OMAN: Omani products exhibitions are designed to encourage consumers and organisations to buy Oman-made goods and services wherever possible. – Supplied picture

must make Omani products as their first choice and the local companies need to intensify their promotional campaigns,” Badriya added.

Spreading awareness Hamood Al Balushi, director of PEIE’s Omani Products’ Department, noted that the exhibition comes in line with the Memorandum of Understanding that was signed between PEIE and Ministry of Education aiming at spreading awareness on the significance of supporting locally manufactured products among

the educational community.

He further said that the exhibition aspires at inspiring the school community to purchase local made products, promote nation pride and loyalty towards the local manufacturing industry and create awareness on important role played by the local products advancing the national economy.

Al Balushi informed that the next school exhibition will be held in Musandam Governorate.

It should be noted that the MoU between PEIE and Ministry of Education involves organising exhibitions in various

schools throughout the governorates of the Sultanate, targeting students as they represent an important segment of the society and can significantly influence on the members of the surrounding environment to support the national products.

The series of Omani Products Exhibitions are designed to encourage consumers and organisations to buy Oman-made goods and services wherever possible, promote national pride in the manufacturing industry, and highlight the economic importance of buying local products.

Lingering jobs crisis still haunts Spain MADRID: Data shows Spain’s economy recovering, but tell that to Javier Pichel: this summer he packed and left for the only place he could find a decent job — Germany.

Millions of Spaniards are scraping by on benefits, family handouts or working cash-in-hand as they wait for the apparent economic rebound to create the hundreds of thousands of jobs the government is promising.

Experts say that these jobs are being created — but that the problem is many of them only last a few days. Since leaving school, 22-year-old Pichel from the northwestern Galicia region has racked up training certificates in finance and business, but has received no decent job offers in Spain.

“You can get a contract for three weeks or three months. You’re happy, but you quickly realise that there is no job security,” he said.

Spain’s government is forecasting the economy will grow by 3.3 per cent this year, one of the strongest rates in the eurozone.

Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy in 2012 passed reforms making it easier for firms to hire and fire as part of his austerity reforms.

Now the Spanish prime minister has promised a million jobs would be created over the 2014-2015 period. - AFP

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M O N DAY, S E P T E M B E R 2 1 , 2 0 1 5

MARKET Index falls marginally

OMAN STOCKS

MUSCAT SECURITIES MARKET

INDICES Index .................................................High .................Low..................... Value ............... Prev . Value.......... Diff ...............Diff % MSM30 Index .........................................5,751.11 ................5,741.91 .................... 5,741.91 ................... 5,744.76.................. -2.85 .................. -0.05 Financial Index .................................... 6,849.37 ............... 6,825.71 ....................6,825.71 ...................6,849.37................-23.66 .................. -0.35 Industrial Index ....................................7,370.53 ...............7,365.64 ................... 7,366.49 ................... 7,370.53..................-4.04 .................. -0.05 Services Index ...................................... 3,232.06 .............. 3,222.35 ...................3,222.60 ...................3,223.97...................-1.37 .................. -0.04 MSM SHARIAH INDEX.......................909.19 ..................908.27 ...................... 908.62 ......................908.50.................... 0.12 ................... 0.01 Trading Summary Volume ................Turnover ..........Trades .............. Market Cap............. Up............Down ............. Equal .........Sec. Traded 6,222,493 ................... 2,209,816 .................... 454 ...............14,503,740,079 .................. 4 ......................14 .................... 18 .........................36

The top gainer was Al Hassan Engineering, up by 2.33 per cent, while the top loser was

SHARE PRICE BULLETIN FOR SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 20

Construction Materials, down by 5.56 per cent ISIN ......................................SECURITY NAME ..................................................................VOLUME..... TURNOVER............TRADES ......OPEN PRICE......HIGH ............. LOW ........ CLOSE PR. ...PREV. CLOSE...DIFF (RO).........DIFF % .............LAST PR.....LAST BID .............LAST OFFER ........MARKET CAP.PAR VALUE

MUSCAT: Amid weak trading activity, the MSM 30 Index ended the day at 5,741.91 points, down by 0.05 per cent. The MSM Shariah Index remained flat at 908.62 points, up by 0.01 per cent.

Bank Muscat was the most active in terms of volume, while Ooredoo led in terms of turnover.

Sunday’s top gainer was Al Hassan Engineering, up by 2.33 per cent, while the top loser was Construction Materials, down by 5.56 per cent.

As many as 454 trades were executed in the session generating a turnover of OMR2.2 million with over 6.2 million shares changing hands. Out of 36 traded securities, 4 advanced, 14 declined and 18 remained unchanged. At the close of the session, Omani investors were net buyers to the tune of OMR126,000 followed

by GCC and Arab investors at OMR19,000. Foreign investors, who were net sellers, sold shares amounting to OMR145,000.

Financial Index ended negatively at 6,825.71 points, down by 0.35 per cent. Gulf Investment Services, Al Anwar Holding, Al Sharqia Investments, Al Izz Islamic Bank and Bank Sohar declined 2.94 per cent, 2.79 per cent, 2.75 per cent, 1.43 per cent and 1.23 per cent respectively.

Industrial Index declined 0.05 per cent to close at 7,366.49 points. Al Hassan Engineering gained 2.33 per cent to close at OMR0.088. Construction Materials, Galfar Engineering and Al Maha Ceramics decreased 5.56 per cent, 1.08 per cent and 0.41 per cent respectively.

Services Index closed at 3,222.60 points, down by 0.04 per cent. Sembcorp Salalah, Ooredoo and Omantel advanced 1.37 per cent, 0.54 per cent and 0.31 per cent respectively. National Gas, Renaissance Services, OIFC, Al Maha Petroleum and Al Batinah Power declined 2.60 per cent, 1.88

per cent, 1.19 per cent, 0.51 per cent and 0.47 per cent respectively.

REGULAR MARKET .........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

OM0000004735 ...........SEMBCORP SALALAH................................................84,626 ...........219,728.....................24 ........... 2.570 ...........2.600 ...........2.570........... 2.595 .............2.560 ............0.035 ............. 1.367 ................2.600............. 2.600...................2.610.................. 247,711,421 ........1.000 OM0000003968 ...........OOREDOO....................................................................... 766,099 .........573,222.....................22 ............0.752 ........... 0.752 ...........0.748 ............0.748 .............0.744............ 0.004............. 0.538 ................0.748 ..............0.748...................0.752................. 486,906,284 .......0.100

Saudi stocks drop Saudi Arabian equities fell the most in the Middle East after the Federal Reserve’s decision to keep interest rates unchanged sparked concern over global growth and the price of oil capped its third week of losses.

The Tadawul All Share Index fell 1.1 per cent to 7,392.57 Riyadh, poised for a seventh day of losses. Banks made up four out of the top five contributors to the decline. Abu Dhabi’s ADX General Index advanced 0.6 per cent. The Bloomberg GCC 200 Index, made up of the biggest and most liquid shares in the sixnation Gulf Cooperation Council, slipped 0.4 per cent.

That sent the premium it commands over MSCI’s emerging markets index on a future priceto-earnings basis to the lowest in almost five months.

The BGCC 200 Index traded at 11.6 times estimated earnings in 12 months compared with almost 11 times for the MSCI EM Index.

That’s the narrowest gap since April, according to data.

In Dubai, the DFM General Index was little changed at the close after declining as much as 1.1 perc ent. Trading patterns on Dubai’s stocks gauge on Thursday showed its 50-day moving average fell below that for 200 days, forming a so-called death cross, a bearish signal to some investors.

Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul has declined about 10 per cent since its own moving averages entered a death cross last month.

"At times like this, you should be prepared to walk in, find where the value is and start buying," said Ahmed Shehada, head of advisory and institutions at NBAD Securities, the brokerage of the United Arab Emirates’ biggest bank. – United Securities/Bloomberg News

OM0000003026 ...........OMAN TELECOMMUNICATION ........................ 154,245 ..........251,314......................12 ............1.625 ........... 1.630 ...........1.625 ............1.630 ............. 1.625............ 0.005.............0.308 ................1.630 .............. 1.625...................1.630................1,222,500,000......0.100 OM0000001087............OMAN UNITED INSURANCE ...................................2,000 ..................420........................1 ............0.210 ........... 0.210 ...........0.210........... 0.232 .............0.232 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.210..............0.212...................0.231...................23,200,000 ........0.100 OM0000001145 ............PORT SERVICES CORPORATION ...........................3,000 ...................411........................1 ............0.137 ........... 0.137 ...........0.137 ............0.138 ............. 0.138............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.137 .............. 0.125...................0.137 ................... 13,115,520 .........0.100 OM0000001509............DHOFAR INT.DEV.AND INV. HOLD........................8,600 ...............3,526........................8 ............0.410 ........... 0.410 ...........0.410........... 0.410 .............0.410............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.410 ............. 0.400...................0.410..................101,024,000........0.100 OM0000001517 ............HSBC BANK OMAN .................................................... 100,000 ............11,500........................2 ............0.115 ........... 0.115............ 0.115 ............0.115 ............. 0.115 ............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.115 ...............0.111................... 0.114 ..................230,035,971........0.100 OM0000001533 ............OMINVEST ...................................................................... 10,401 ...............4,868........................4 ........... 0.468 ...........0.468 ...........0.468........... 0.468 .............0.468 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.468..............0.468...................0.488..................258,739,248........0.100 OM0000001962............AL MADINA INVESTMENT .....................................14,800 ..................844........................1 ........... 0.057 ........... 0.057 ...........0.057........... 0.057 .............0.057 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.057..............0.057...................0.059................... 11,807,629 .........0.100 OM0000002168............AL ANWAR CERAMIC TILES ................................ 25,000 ...............8,550........................3 ........... 0.342 ...........0.342 ...........0.342........... 0.342 .............0.342 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.342..............0.330...................0.340 .................101,305,079 ........0.100 OM0000002549 ...........BANK DHOFAR ............................................................ 109,000 ........... 25,506........................6 ........... 0.234 ...........0.234 ...........0.234........... 0.234 .............0.234 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.234..............0.234...................0.241..................361,466,480........0.100 OM0000002796 ...........BANK MUSCAT ............................................................ 873,899 ........ 442,962..................... 30 ........... 0.506 ...........0.508 ...........0.504........... 0.506 .............0.506 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.506..............0.504...................0.506 ............... 1,159,662,234 ......0.100 OM0000003711 ............SOHAR POWER.............................................................. 18,160 ............... 6,168........................8 ........... 0.338 ...........0.340 ...........0.338........... 0.340 .............0.340 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.340............. 0.340...................0.350...................75,143,400 .........0.100 OM0000004248 ...........SMN POWER HOLDING ............................................10,000 ...............7,520........................1 ............0.752 ........... 0.752 ...........0.752 ........... 0.752 ............. 0.752............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.752 ............. 0.000...................0.752.................. 150,125,971 ........0.100 OM0000004669 ...........SHARQIYAH DESALINATION ...................................1,058 ...............4,814........................5 ........... 4.550 ...........4.550 ...........4.550........... 4.550 .............4.550 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................4.550..............4.555...................4.650 ..................44,499,983.........1.000 OM0000004768 ...........AL MADINA TAKAFUL............................................. 310,913 .............26,735........................9 ........... 0.087 ...........0.087 ...........0.085........... 0.086 .............0.086 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.085..............0.085...................0.086...................15,050,000 .........0.100 OM0000004933 ...........AL SUWADI POWER .................................................. 116,600.............24,719........................8 ............0.212 ........... 0.212 ...........0.212........... 0.212 .............0.212 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.212............. 0.208...................0.212..................151,454,144 ........0.100 OM0000005005 ...........ALMAHA CERAMICS ...................................................57,416 .............28,134........................5 ........... 0.490 ...........0.490 ...........0.490........... 0.490 .............0.492 ...........-0.002 ........... -0.407 ...............0.490..............0.490...................0.500 ..................25,725,000 .........0.100 OM0000004925 ...........AL BATINAH POWER................................................ 671,758 .......... 142,459......................14 ............0.212 ........... 0.213 ...........0.212........... 0.212 .............0.213............-0.001 ........... -0.469 ...............0.213 ..............0.192...................0.213..................143,076,135 ........0.100 OM0000003000 ...........ALMAHA PETROLEUM PRODUCTS MAR. ......... 7,000 .............13,790........................1 ............1.970 ........... 1.970 ...........1.970 ........... 1.970 .............1.980 ...........-0.010 ........... -0.505 ...............1.970 .............. 1.965...................1.970..................135,930,000........0.100 OM0000002366 ...........AL BATINAH DEV. INV. HOLDING ........................ 13,100 ............... 1,210........................3 ........... 0.093 ...........0.093 ...........0.092........... 0.092 .............0.093 ...........-0.001 ............-1.075................0.092..............0.092...................0.095....................2,760,000 ..........0.100 OM0000003521 ............GALFAR ENGINEERING AND CON. .................. 122,067 ............11,235......................11 ........... 0.093 ...........0.093 ...........0.092........... 0.092 .............0.093 ...........-0.001 ............-1.075................0.092..............0.091...................0.092 ..................26,678,219 .........0.100 OM0000001525 ............OMAN INVESTMENT AND FINANCE..................8,800 ................1,461........................4 ............0.166 ........... 0.166 ...........0.166 ............0.166 ............. 0.168............-0.002 ............-1.190................0.166 .............. 0.155...................0.160...................33,200,000 ........0.100 OM0000003398 ...........BANK SOHAR................................................................. 32,500 ...............5,233........................8 ............0.161 ........... 0.161............0.161 ............0.161 ............. 0.163............-0.002 ........... -1.227 ...............0.161 .............. 0.161...................0.162..................232,071,840 .......0.100 OM0000003224 ...........RENAISSANCE SERVICES ..................................... 180,440 ........... 28,289......................11 ............0.159 ........... 0.159 ...........0.155 ............0.157 .............0.160 ...........-0.003 ............-1.875................0.156 .............. 0.156...................0.159...................45,632,210 .........0.100 OM0000001160 ............NATIONAL GAS ............................................................. 11,088 ...............3,336......................11 ........... 0.308 ...........0.308 ...........0.300 .......... 0.300 .............0.308 ...........-0.008 ........... -2.597 ...............0.300 ............ 0.300...................0.308 ..................15,000,000.........0.100 OM0000002440 ...........AL SHARQIA INVESTMENT HOLDING ........... 735,158.............77,950..................... 58 ............0.107 ........... 0.107 ...........0.105 ........... 0.106 .............0.109 ...........-0.003 ........... -2.752 ...............0.105 ..............0.105...................0.107....................9,540,000 ..........0.100 OM0000001772 ............AL ANWAR HOLDING............................................... 673,123...........117,325..................... 79 ............0.176 ........... 0.176 ...........0.172 ............0.174 ............. 0.179............-0.005 ........... -2.793 ...............0.172 .............. 0.172...................0.176 ................... 26,113,050 .........0.100 OM0000002820 ...........GULF INVESTMENT SERVICES ......................... 418,800 ........... 41,394..................... 47 ........... 0.100 ........... 0.100 ...........0.098........... 0.099 .............0.102 ...........-0.003 ........... -2.941 ...............0.099..............0.098...................0.099.................... 5,825,478 ..........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 5,539,651...2,084,622...................397 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ......29........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

PARALLEL MARKET .................................................................................................................................................................................

OM0000002564 ...........AL HASSAN ENGINEERING....................................73,952 ...............6,499......................15 ........... 0.088 ...........0.089 ...........0.087........... 0.088 .............0.086 ........... 0.002.............2.326 ................0.089..............0.088...................0.090 ................... 6,618,304 ..........0.100 OM0000001400 ...........OMAN FLOUR MILLS ............................................... 100,000 ...........48,200........................3 ........... 0.482 ...........0.482 ...........0.482........... 0.482 .............0.482 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.482..............0.482...................0.484 ..................75,915,000 .........0.100 OM0000002317 ............AL BATINAH HOTELS ......................................................156 ...................172........................1 ............1.100 ........... 1.100 ...........1.100 ............1.125 ............. 1.125 ............ 0.000.............0.000 ................1.100 ............. 0.000...................1.100 ....................4,074,596 ..........1.000 OM0000004420 ...........BANK NIZWA ................................................................. 20,000 ...............1,220........................4 ............0.061 ........... 0.061 ...........0.061 ........... 0.061 ............. 0.061............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.061 ..............0.061...................0.062 ..................91,500,000.........0.100 OM0000005963 ...........PHOENIX POWER ...................................................... 454,734 ............ 67,755..................... 28 ............0.149 ........... 0.149 ...........0.149........... 0.149 .............0.149............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.149 ..............0.148...................0.149.................. 217,927,618 ........0.100 OM0000004511 ............ALIZZ ISLAMIC BANK.................................................. 5,500 ..................380........................2 ........... 0.069 ...........0.069 ...........0.069........... 0.069 .............0.070 ...........-0.001 ........... -1.429 ...............0.069..............0.068...................0.069...................69,000,000.........0.100 OM0000001368 ............CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS IND. ................... 28,500 .................. 969........................4 ........... 0.034 ...........0.034 ...........0.034........... 0.034 .............0.036 ...........-0.002 ........... -5.556 ...............0.034..............0.034...................0.035....................2,890,000..........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 682,842 ..........125,195..................... 57 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ........ 7........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

AL MAHA FINANCIAL

STUDY

Asset base of leasing firms B1 surges ahead to OMR0.95b < FROM

Oman’s leasing companies, mainly operate in three market segments — retail financing, equipment leasing and factoring and working capital financing.

In the retail segment, financing is provided to individual customers mainly for purchase of automobiles and other goods whereas in equipment leasing finance is extended to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) for expansion, modernisation and replacement requirements.

In the third segment, factoring and working capital financing is provided to SMEs for cross border or domestic trade, or for the execution of projects, usually against the assignment of re-

ceivables. There are currently six finance and leasing companies with a branch network of 38 operating in Oman and all the six companies are also listed on the Muscat Securities Market (MSM).

The six licensed players namely; Al Omaniya Financial Services, Muscat Finance, National Finance, Oman Orix Leasing, Taageer Finance and United Finance have a combined paid-up capital of OMR156.63 million and total assets worth OMR0.95 billion as of June 2015.

Market capitalisation of the six NBFCs currently stands at OMR262 million.

There has been a gradual shift in the market share as a result

of aggressive growth plans and strategies being adopted by some leasing companies.

In line with the growth in their leasing and financing activities, leasing companies also recorded a similar increase in borrowings and deposits, which are their primary sources of funds. The combined borrowings and deposits of six companies increased by 5.3 per cent year-on-year basis. Overall gross financing to borrowings and deposits remained in the range of 160 per cent to 165 per cent over the past one year and increased over the twelve months from 159.6 per cent as at the end of June 2014 to 163.5 per cent as at the end of June 2015.

CRUDE OIL

Nigeria’s refineries resume production PORT HARCOURT: Bright orange flames flare upwards from a pencil-thin chimney at the Port Harcourt Refining Company, sending thick black smoke into the white clouds above Nigeria’s southern oil hub.

On the ground, workers in boiler suits and hard hats inspect the tanks, valves and gauges around the metal pipes that stretch up, down and across the facility. In the hush of the control room, away from the hiss of steam and hum of heavy machinery, the refining process is monitored closely on a bank of computer screens.

PHRC boss Bafred Enjugu sees it as a sign that Nigeria — Africa’s biggest oil producer — is finally ‘domesticating’ the refining of crude into products, thus improving its energy security and ending a reliance on costly imports.

The talk is of job creation, national pride and the chance to help revive an economy badly hurt by the fall in global oil prices as well as providing fuel for the increasing demands of a growing population.

“To give up on the refineries is like giving up on Nigeria. That’s how strongly I believe about it and we can’t afford to do that,” the PHRC managing director said.

“We can’t go home and tell our children that we have failed to provide the right platform to take off.”

Stop the rot The Port Harcourt refinery is Nigeria’s oldest, built in 1965, nine years after oil was found under the marshy soil and creeks of the delta, where the Niger river runs off into the Gulf of Guinea.

Refineries in nearby Warri, and

Kaduna in the north central region, were built in the years that followed, while a new plant was added to the same site in Port Harcourt in 1989. In recent years, however, the facilities have been more idle than operational.

Opec-member Nigeria instead sent much of the 1.8 million barrels of crude it now produces daily to foreign facilities, buying back refined products such as petrol at market prices.

By the end of Goodluck Jonathan’s presidency, just how reliant Nigeria had become on imports became clear when a dispute between marketers and the government caused a crippling fuel shortage.

Muhammadu Buhari, elected on an anti-corruption ticket, replaced Jonathan in late May, days after the blockade was lifted. - AFP

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W W W.T I M E S O F O M A N . C O M MONDAY, S E P T E M B E R 2 1 , 2 0 1 5

SECTION

SLOW DOWN ENJOY THE RIDE

E-

IMES TECH STUFF

Google’s driverless car rattles auto industry With John Krafcik, the former chief executive officer of Hyundai Motor America, former Ford and Boeing CEO Alan Mulally (now a Google board member) and ex-GM research and development boss Lawrence Burns

cremental improvement, they can create a kind of Counter- Reformation that keeps buyers firmly in the driver’s seat for years to come.

(now a Google Auto consultant), Google Auto is building a ‘Dream Team’ to take on the centuryold industry

B

efore Google introduced the prototype of its autonomous car — aka the “self-driving toaster” — to the public last year, the search-engine giant made the rounds of the major automakers to explain the concept.

At least, one of the automakers was sufficiently impressed to express interest in collaborating, but was astounded to find that Google had no commercialisation plans of any kind for its potentially gamechanging technology.

Ever since, the auto industry has treated Google’s vehicle like an uncomfortable joke: though a source of real anxiety, the self-driving car seemed just unserious enough to laugh off. Now, however, the nervous laughter may turn to real fear.

Strongest sign yet On Monday, Google has announced the hire of one of the most respected executives in the US auto industry: John Krafcik, the former chief executive officer of Hyundai Motor America and president of the autopricing Web site TrueCar. With the auto world’s eyes transfixed on the glitzy-yet-conservative new products being unveiled this week at the Frankfurt Auto Show, Google is sending the strongest sign yet that the real action in the industry is increasingly found in Silicon Valley.

The industry journal of record, Automotive News, is calling Krafcik’s hire “the clearest sign yet of Google’s broad commercial aspirations for the project.” Krafcik has deep experience in nearly every aspect of the auto industry, having studied lean manufacturing at MIT, worked in production engineering at the Toyota-GM joint Nummi plant in California, worked as a product planner at Ford, led Hyun-

MAKING A POINT: John Krafcik, the former chief executive officer of

Hyundai Motor America and president of the auto-pricing Web site TrueCar. — Bloomberg file picture

dai America’s leap from budget brand to mainstream player, and focused on auto retail at TrueCar. Between Krafcik, former Ford and Boeing CEO Alan Mulally (now a Google board member) and ex-GM research and development boss Lawrence Burns (now a Google Auto consultant), Google Auto is building a Dream Team to take on the century-old industry. Just as important, Krafcik, who drives a classic Lotus-designed Caterham Seven, brings some much-needed “car-guy” credibility to Google’s programme. This may help bring to bring the enthusiast-dominated auto media around on a project that — gasp! — seeks to create a permanent alternative to driving.

Meanwhile, Google seems deadly serious about doing exactly that, telling the California Public Utilities Commission that its vehicles will have no human controls beyond a “go button,” a “please slow down and stop” button and a “stop pretty quickly” button. According to Sarah Hunter, head of policy at the GoogleX innovation lab, “the intention is that the passenger gets in the vehicle, says into micro-

phone, take me to Safeway, and the car does the entire journey.”

Removing driver input By removing driver input almost entirely, Google is enabled to reimagine the car from the ground-up, potentially yielding a final product that is dramatically lighter, more efficient and yet safer than anything on the road today.

And with traffic deaths ticking upward for the first time in decades, likely due to increasing driver distraction, Google’s goal cutting the more than 30,000 vehicle-related fatalities each year gives it a sense of social mission that could put the auto industry back on its heels.

As Google’s threat becomes more credible, the traditional carmakers are circling the wagons: Last week, 10 automakers announced a voluntary commitment to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety to install automatic-braking systems as standard equipment in new cars.

The manufacturers’ hope is that by offering some of Google’s promised life-saving advantages with this in-

Google’s announcements Though details for this innovation are as sketchy as most of Google’s announcements, it shows that the auto industry is as serious about defending its evolutionary approach to the future of the car as Google is about creating a revolution. And whereas the auto industry’s incremental, additive approach to layering new technology on top of the established automotive paradigm puts history on its side, that conservative strategy gives them no chance to achieve the potentially disruptive advantages of Google’s blue-sky vision. For example, while consumers will probably welcome automatic braking, early insurance data shows that the technology offers only a 15 per cent reduction in crash- related claims.

With Krafcik’s hire, the industry can no longer afford to laugh off Google Auto as a mere science project. Though Google says its car programme is not yet ready to become a standalone division under its new Alphabet rubric, it’s now considering making private sales of its eventual car as well as operating them as a fleet for the sharing economy, potentially an even more direct threat to the traditional makers than previously anticipated. And if Google does manufacture and sell its “cars,” it may well be in partnership with the giant auto supplier firms who control an increasing amount of the auto industry’s value chain. Most terrifying of all, newlygranted patents show that Google is working on systems that allow an onboard computer to take control of a human-driven car, potentially putting the firm in direct competition with automakers even as it works to convince drivers to forgo a steering wheel entirely.

Unable to co-opt Google’s technology, and with their supply chain and talent pool under assault, the established automakers’ only response is to rush some semi-autonomous technology to market. If that fails to win buyers, then there’s nothing left to do but hope that consumer preference for a traditional car experience wins the day. With Krafcik, Mulally and Burns behind the wheel at Google Auto, the threat from Silicon Valley has never been more real.

— EDWARD NIEDERMEYER/Bloomberg News

FACEBOOK PROVIDES NEW OPTION

Facebook is providing a new option for its more sceptical advertisers.

Marketers can now choose to pay Facebook only if their ads have completely passed through a user’s news feed and been seen by a human being. Separately, any advertisers who want to verify video views can get reassurance from a third party, Moat, the social network said on Thursday in a blog post. — Bloomberg News

T E C H U P D AT E S

Apple launches iOS 9 update Apple’s latest operating system, iOS 9, launched on Wednesday, giving millions of people a chance to refresh their iPhones. Overall, iOS 9 is more about polish and under-the-hood refinements than a sweeping visual revamp; there is nothing here that’s on par with the eyesearing palette changes of iOS 8. Still, there are pretty significant changes that hint at what Apple wants to do with its mobile devices going forward. Perhaps the biggest is Apple’s push into forecasting your needs, not just telling you what they are. This kind of predictive analysis might strike privacy buffs as a bit creepy. After all, the company is trying to figure out your likes and dislikes based on your phone use. And you probably don’t even know that the iPhone is tracking you while you are using it. But making the phone more predictive has its benefits. Scrolling through a news feed that tries to put only headlines that you will want to read is not only cool, but is a timesaver as well. And that really is a major theme of iOS 9: Many of its changes are subtle, shaving seconds or milliseconds off each use of the phone. That may not sound like a lot. But over the weeks and months, those small chunks of time add up. Plus, you get the feeling that everything is just a bit more at your fingertips than it was before. When looking at a new piece of software, I try to ask one question: How does this make my life easier in everyday circumstances? Having used the beta versions of iOS 9 for several weeks, I can think of three features that have made my life better. — Washington Post-Bloomberg News

Twitter’s audience claimed to be bigger than Facebook Twitter has been slammed by investors since its initial public offering for slowing user growth.

On Wednesday, Chief Financial Officer Anthony Noto tried a new defence: Comparing Twitter to the world’s largest social network.

In fact, Twitter’s audience may top Facebook’s 1.49 billion users, “depending how you look at it,” Noto said at a Deutsche Bank technology conference. His comments marked a change from earlier remarks. In July, for example, Noto told investors that the social media company’s growth wouldn’t dramatically improve until it reaches a mass market. In the second quarter, Twitter’s monthly active users for its main application increased by just two million from the prior quarter, to 304 million. Noto on Wednesday said Twitter has a much bigger audience if you consider those who view tweets without logging into Twitter, or who get to tweets through Web search engines or see the 140-character postings on news sites and on television. The company has explained before how to think about its larger audience, but this is the first time an executive has directly compared Twitter to Facebook. “They only have that 1.4 billion to report — there’s no other number,” Noto said, referring to the fact that Facebook users access the service mostly through its application and website — postings don’t usually appear elsewhere. — Bloomberg News

Oracle’s revenue falls to $8.45b Oracle’s fiscal first-quarter revenue fell short of analysts’ projections, crimped by a slowdown in software licence sales amid a shift to Web-delivered cloud products. Revenue in the period that ended August 31 fell 1.7 per cent to $8.45 billion, and profit before certain costs was 53 cents a share, the Redwood City, Californiabased company said on Wednesday in a statement. Analysts on average had forecast sales of $8.53 billion and profit of 52 cents, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Oracle is trying to navigate the transition to computing as a service over the Internet.

While this move to the cloud has provided the company with opportunities to break into new markets, the shift has hurt its traditional business of selling licenses for software installed on corporate systems. Growth has also been hurt by the strength of the dollar, which has devalued revenue outside the US International sales make up more than half of Oracle’s business. Had currency rates been constant, total revenue would have risen seven per cent in the quarter, Oracle said. “If licences are going down and people are feeling that it’s not being made up for by billings on the cloud side, they’ll view that as maybe Oracle is growing in the cloud but other cloud providers are growing at Oracle’s licence expense,” said Kevin Buttigieg, an analyst at MKM Partners, who has a neutral rating on the stock. Net income in the first quarter declined to $1.75 billion, or 40 cents a share, from $2.18 billion, or 48 cents, a year earlier. — Bloomberg News

B6

M O N DAY, S E P T E M B E R 2 1 , 2 0 1 5

ROUND-UP Turkish fashion brand LC Waikiki arrives in Oman

Originating from France in 1985 and fostered in Turkey, LC Waikiki is a Turkish multi-cultural fashion brand that has a modern approach to retailing with a global appeal. The brand provides high quality clothes at great value

MUSCAT: Turkeyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading fashion chain LC Waikiki has opened its ďŹ rst store in Oman.

The retail chain, specialising in clothes and accessories for men, women and children of all ages, has opened its doors at Oman Avenues Mall in partnership with the Dubai based retail conglomerate Apparel Group.

Originating from France in 1985 and fostered in Turkey, LC Waikiki is a Turkish multi-cultural fashion brand that has a modern approach to retailing with a global appeal.

LC Waikiki adopts the philosophy, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Everyone deserves to dress wellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, thus offering a dynamic range of accessible yet stylish clothing to suit different styles and tastes, allowing its customers enjoy the advantages of affordable fashion, says a press release. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As LC Waikiki, we are proud to enter the Oman market, with

Apparel Group. LC Waikiki, a leading fashion brand of Turkey; is becoming much more international by adding new countries to its operations. Currently we are operating in 25 countries with very promising results. Entering Oman market is another milestone for us,â&#x20AC;? said, Mahir Bozkurt, international retail operations director of LC Waikiki.

LC Waikikiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s growing distribution and market coverage is accompanied by a distinctive strategy â&#x20AC;&#x201C; to provide high quality clothes at great value. The brand places great emphasis on customer satisfaction and strives to serve each of their customer segments with unparalleled levels of service.

LC Waikiki has been recently presented with two important awards at the Retail Brilliance Awards which was held as part of the Emerging Markets Retail Sum-

mit 2014. It also won the ďŹ rst place in the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Emerging Markets Retailer of the Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; category and second place in the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Choiceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; category - decided by means of online voting across the world.

LC Waikiki opened its ďŹ rst international store in 2009 in Romania, and since then has expanded rapidly across the globe.

The brand has stores located in Albania, Azerbaijan, UAE, Belarus, Bosnia Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Armenia, Morocco, Georgia, Iraq, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Kosovo, Macedonia, Egypt, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Russia, Syria, Oman and Ukraine. In addition, LC Waikiki plans on expanding and establishing its presence in Kenya, Tunisia, India, Indonesia and Algeria by the end of 2015, with an aim of reaching more than 200 international stores.

FITNESS BRAND

VLCC delights its customers with special Eid offers MUSCAT: On the occasion of Eid Al Adha, VLCC, the leading slimming, beauty and ďŹ tness brand in the Middle East, has introduced some special offers to celebrate this special occasion, affirming its commitment to provide the best services to customers with the aim of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;transforming livesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, focusing the vital role it plays with spreading happiness and equip every individual with wellness for life, says a press release. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;I would like to present my warmest greetings and blessings on the occasion of Eid Al Adha.

We at VLCC enjoy the trust and faith of millions of satisďŹ ed customers worldwide, we are offering these special offers to celebrate this special occasion. Our centres will be fully operational during the Eid holidays to provide highest level of services,â&#x20AC;? said Vandana Luthra, founder of VLCC Group.

By redeďŹ ning wellness, VLCC has revolutionised the wellness industry to acquire the status of being the number one wellness brand across South Asia, South East Asia and the Middle East, with a presence in over 300 locations across 121 cities and 16 countries with direct company managed operations in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Ma-

Our centres will be fully operational during the Eid holidays to provide highest level of services Vandana Luthra

Founder of VLCC Group

laysia, Singapore, UAE, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait.

As a pioneer in the industry, VLCC has created industry benchmarks globally by amalgamating its conviction in healthy weight-loss solutions into practice and passionately driving thousands of people every year to develop a ďŹ rm approach to weight-loss and ďŹ tness.

NEW LOOK

A C C R E D I TAT I O N

Mars relaunches 2nd outlet in Salalah

Al Saleh Enterprises awarded ISO 9001 MUSCAT: Al Saleh Enterprises has been awarded the prestigious ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management System CertiďŹ cation by Bureau Veritas during a glittering function attended by company officials and prominent businessmen at Al Bhaja Hall, Qurum Park.

The certiďŹ cate was awarded by John Rosario, certiďŹ cation manager, Bureau Veritas, Oman, to Al Saleh Enterprisesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; top management, says a press release.

Established in 1974, it is the ďŹ&#x201A;agship company of the Al Saleh Group, a well established and reputed trading house in the Sultanate of Oman and Middle East.

It has been providing end to end, customised electrical, safety and electrical appliance solutions to clients for over four decades.

Al Saleh, over a period of time, has lit up many prestigious institutions, mosques, villas and commercial and residential complexes all across Oman. The organisation has its own presence over Oman with strategically located showrooms in Muscat, Sohar, Bidiya, Ibri, Salalah and are adding more to the list plus a dealer base throughout Oman.

The group is primarily involved in the business of the following segments: Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014; #!".Ĺ&#x2014; Ă°..#(!-Ä&#x2026;Ĺ&#x2014; & '*-Ĺ&#x2014; ( Ĺ&#x2014; cessories (LEDs & Conventional) Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014; ), .#0 Ĺ&#x2014;&#!".Ĺ&#x2014;Ă°..#(!-Ĺ&#x2014; Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014; (-Ĺ&#x2014;ÄĄ, !/& ,Ĺ&#x2014; ( Ĺ&#x2014; ), .#0 ĢĹ&#x2014; â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Air circulation systems Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014; 1#. " -Ĺ&#x2014; ( Ĺ&#x2014;-) % .-Ĺ&#x2014; Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014; ."Ĺ&#x2014;Ă°..#(!Ĺ&#x2014; ( Ĺ&#x2014; --),# -Ĺ&#x2014; Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014; & .,# &Ĺ&#x2014; --),# -Ĺ&#x2014; ÄĄ -Ä&#x2026;Ĺ&#x2014;

MCBs, Wires and Cables) etc Al Saleh Enterprises shares a very close relationship with all its stakeholders and values them equally. With customer satisfaction as primary aim, the company believes in delivering consistent and quality services. Professionally trained staff is well versed and trained within the diverse product range.

Mohammad Al Lawati, Group CEO, congratulated the entire team for this accomplishment and reiterated the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mission - â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;To remain on top as a vital and progressive company by providing quality products/ solutions, customer satisfaction and strive for continual improvementâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.

Technological solutions Johan Benzuidenhout, group general manager, stated: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Al Saleh does ensure product, components and brands are chosen with utmost care and we deal with the best in the industry across the world. Our projects are executed meticulously by highly skilled and competent professionals through application of latest and advanced technological solutions.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;On this occasion I would like to congratulate and thank Amjid Ali, (quality management representative), Salima Al Balushi (assistant quality management representative), all the process heads, internal auditors and other staff for the key role played towards establishing and implementing the system.â&#x20AC;?

MUSCAT: Mars International reopened its much awaited outlet in Salalah recently. V. T. Vinod, managing director, Naveej Vinod, executive director, Unnikrishna Pillai, general manager, Saif Al Malki, GM (Administration) and other senior management staff of Mars group were present during the event. It is the second outlet of Mars in Salalah, conveniently located at 23rd July street Salalah, says a press release. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all new, refreshing and soothing. We have changed everything to give our customers an entirely new shopping experience.

While redesigning the outlet, we focused more on contemporary interiors and a layout focused on convenience,â&#x20AC;? said Vinod, while relaunching the outlet.

The ample space ensures an uncluttered, fast and hassle free shopping environment. The outlet will be a complete shopping destination that will cater to the growing consumer demands.

Keeping up with the convenience and standards of Mars outlets across the Sultanate, the new

hypermarket will feature the widest choice of renowned brands at the fairest prices. Marsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; winning formula of value for money quality shopping will be a matter of delight for the residents of Salalah who will cherish the pleasurable shopping experience and the economy it offers.

Mars announced a captivating offer exclusively for Salalah; it enables the customers to win three Chery Tiggo 3, ďŹ ve 40â&#x20AC;? LED TVs, 10 Tabs and more. The offers are valid for both outlets in Salalah till December 15.

Mars has become a name that has changed lives everywhere for

the better ever since its inception.

The popularity of Mars has infused new activity into the localities, changing the whole topography around it. With more than 24 yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s presence in the Sultanate, Mars has ďŹ rmly established itself as a preferred retail destination for both locals and expats.

F E S T I VA L O F J O Y P R O M O T I O N

2016 Toyota Camry is now even better MUSCAT: The athletic, luxurious and intelligent 2016 Camry is packed with a host of exciting features giving its owners a lot to cheer about!

Its aggressive front grille and bumper makes it stand apart from the crowd. Its new headlamps and elegant daytime running lights exude style like never before.

The rear is equally impressive, with new combination lamps and bumper giving it a more sporty appearance. The stylish new design 17â&#x20AC;? alloy wheels on the new Camry further accentuate the distinctive looks.

Camry fans are now delighted by the news that, from September 13 upto November 12, the 2016YM & 2015YM Camry of 2015 Production is available with Festival of Joy beneďŹ ts that includes a service package of three years / 30,000km (whichever is earlier) covering three services at 10,000km service interval for petrol models based on normal operating conditions, says a press release.

Also available is comprehensive one year insurance (Oman only) that would be given to the extent applicable for private vehicles. In addition to the above customers also get registration for the ďŹ rst year. These beneďŹ ts are applicable for all purchases except government organisations and ministries. Conditions apply. Please visit nearest Toyota showroom for further details.

Indeed, those who love the Camry will deďŹ nitely feel exhilarated by the Festival of Joy offer that makes their favourite Toyota even more rewarding to own.

The new Camry looks good and feels even better. Its elegant interior is adorned with new black wood grain ďŹ nish. The newly designed steering wheel is equipped with audio and Bluetooth controls.

There is a sophisticated new auto light control system and now even the base grade comes equipped with cruise control.

Depending on the model grade, the Camry offers a new 7â&#x20AC;? SD card type navigation system. The premium materials build into an overall richer, roomier feel. The high-quality upholstery is meticulously crafted, enhancing the Camryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s upmarket appeal. The centre stack shows off a hi-tech, upscale look that more smoothly integrates with the console. The centre console plays a larger role

than ever in modern cars, accommodating all manner of personal items as well as presenting multimedia functions. The Camryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s console tray offers more storage and a convenient power source in the storage box.

The new Camry has a rigid body structure, enhanced aerodynamics and offers the quietest ride ever. The upscale interior, and advanced instrumentation with intuitive controls help keep the driver safely focused on the road. This may be the best-handling and most comfortable-riding Camry ever.

Beneath the bolder body lines the Camryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s body structure has been bolstered with additional spot welds to enhance rigidity. ReďŹ ned suspension systems in all models put an edge on handling agility while taking the edge off bumps.

In the areas of performance and safety, the Camry delivers outstanding power coupled with superb efficiency. The key attributes

include a 2.5L Dual VVT-i Engine delivering 181HP and 6-speed multi-mode transmission.

Safety enhancements in the Camry include vehicle stability control, traction control, ABS, EBD, engine immobiliser, braking assist system, back view monitor with rear parking sensors, which facilitates easy parking and airbags that include the front side and curtain airbags.

The other thoughtful features include an ECO meter for fuel efficient, economic driving and aerodynamic ďŹ ns to ensure straightline stability while driving.

According to a renowned automotive blogger, the appeal of the Camry is in its quality, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Camry builds on the rational values of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Quality, Durability and Reliabilityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; with strong model appeal, superior interior and exterior quality and the top level of equipment and safety.â&#x20AC;? Those who have experienced the Camry may not be surprised to know that it is one of the top-selling cars across the globe for more than a decade.

The new 2016 Camry is on display at Toyota showroom. Customers are welcome to visit the showrooms to get a ďŹ rst-hand feel.

All speciďŹ cations listed above are standard Toyota equipment.

Safety kit (ďŹ re extinguisher, warning triangle, tyre pressure gauge & ďŹ rst aid kit) is a dealer installed non Toyota item provided on Toyota models as standard equipment.

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Malabar Gold opens 135th outlet

Prominent Indian film actress Kajal Aggarwal inaugurated the group’s 135th showroom at Lulu Hypermarket, Sohar

SOHAR: Malabar Gold & Diamonds, the leading jewellery retailer, opened its 135th outlet in Sohar, Oman.

Prominent Indian film actress Kajal Aggarwal inaugurated this showroom recently in the presence of Khamis Al Mandhri, act-

ing chief of West Asian Department, Oman; Shamlal Ahamed M. P., managing director- International Operations; Abdul Salam K. P., group executive director; Najeeb K., regional head; other directors; personalities from media and well wishers, says a press release.

Conveniently located in Lulu Hypermarket, Sohar this new showroom will take the total number of Malabar Gold & Diamonds showrooms in Oman to 8. The company is also planning to launch two more stores in the coming months in the Sultanate at Seeb and Ruwi.

Apart from the new showroom, the jewellery group already operates in Sohar at Al Hamber Street and this showroom was opened owing to the consistent increase in the number of customers, especially family customers.

The customers will surely be delighted to have another Malabar Gold & Diamonds outlet in this lo-

RECRUIT QUOTES If you wish success in life, make perseverance your bosom friend, experience your wise counsellor, caution your elder brother, and hope your guardian genius.

— Jospeph Addison The man who makes a success of an important venture never wails for the crowd. He strikes out for himself. It takes nerve, it takes a great lot of grit; but the man that succeeds has both. Anyone can fail. The public admires the man who has enough confidence in himself to take a chance. These chances are the main things after all. The man who tries to succeed must expect to be criticised.

Nothing important was ever done but the greater number consulted previously doubted the possibility.

Success is the accomplishment of that which most people think can’t be done. — C. V. White

cality, which will offer them more comfort and convenience.

This new showroom will showcase meticulously crafted unique collection of classic, contemporary and stylish designs in gold, diamonds and precious gems to suit the specific budget of every customer. The astounding creation of Malabar Gold & Diamonds’ branded jewellery segment; Ethnix — handcrafted designer jewellery; Era — uncut diamond jewellery; Mine — diamonds unlimited; Divine — Indian heritage jewellery; Precia — precious gem jewellery and Starlet — kids jewellery, will also be available in the showroom.

Inaugural offers To celebrate this occasion, the group introduced fabulous inaugural offers for its customers.

With every purchase of diamond jewellery worth OMR500, the customers will get a 1g gold coin absolutely free and the cus-

tomers can also avail a free gold coin with every purchase of gold jewellery worth OMR300. These offers are valid at its outlet in Sohar until September 26.

A huge gathering of over 20,000 residents of Sohar thronged the venue to witness the inauguration and to see their favourite celebrity.

Malabar Gold & Diamonds partnered with Majan Events, Oman and security consultants Gentur Security to ensure the event was well organised and comfortable and convenient event for the spectators and the celebrity.

Unique jewellery One of the most important factors driving the group’s success are innovation in their strategies, designs, promotions and the trust Malabar Gold & Diamonds evokes.

With a rich mix of traditional and trendy jewellery in gold, diamond and platinum, Malabar Gold & Diamonds is one of the most preferred

destinations for unique jewellery.

The combination of purest jewellery and cutting edge designs combining unmatched grace and style makes their jewellery exclusive.

The leap from a single store to 135 outlets globally did not happen overnight. It was achieved through consistent effort and an insistence on setting exceptionally high standards to meet the aspiration of customers over a period of 22 years. Their dedicated and highly skilled employees invest heart and soul in striving to achieve maximum perfection. Absolute customer satisfaction is the overriding promise in everything they do.

Ornaments have never been so easier to buy, sell and exchange as it is in Malabar Gold & Diamonds and with their customer friendly policies, they give their customers enough reasons to come back to their stores. The jewellery group also gives their customers the advantage of using their 0% Easy

Payment Plan with selected banks through which they can pay the total amount in 3 to 6 instalments without any interest. Customers can also enrol to the unique ‘Gold Purchase Scheme’ from the new store as well. It gives customers a unique opportunity to save gold every month equivalent to equal monthly instalments for a maximum period of 24 months.

The group is in the forefront when it comes to CSR activities as well. The group sets apart a fixed percentage of its net profit to the benefit of needy and the charity projects of Malabar Gold & Diamonds have touched the lives of thousands of people across the world. They focus primarily in five priority areas such as health, education, environment, housing and women empowerment.

In Oman, Malabar Gold & Diamonds operates showrooms at Darsait, Baushar, Ruwi, Salalah and Sohar.

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Lulu opens its new store in Sinaw

118TH OUTLET: Sheikh Yahya bin Hamoud Hamed Al Maamari, Governor of Al Sharqiyah North, inaugurating the Lulu Hypermarket in Sinaw, along with Yusuff Ali, managing director. – Jun Estrada/TIMES OF OMAN

Spread over an area of 125,000 square feet, the new store is specially designed to offer the residents of Sinaw a world class shopping experience like never before at fair prices and friendly service

MUSCAT: The leading hypermarket chain Lulu opened its 118th outlet in Sinaw yesterday building on its stated policy to reach out to the wilayats of the Sultanate and to provide a world class shopping

experience closer to its customers.

The new store was officially inaugurated by Sheikh Yahya bin Hamoud Hamed Al Maamari, Governor of Al Sharqiyah North in the presence of M. A. Yusuff Ali, man-

aging director, Lulu Group, Ashraf Ali, executive director, Saifee Rupawala, CEO, Ananth A. V., regional director Oman and other senior dignitaries, says a press release.

Spread over an area of 125,000 square feet, the new store is specially designed to offer the residents of Sinaw a world class shopping experience like never before at fair prices and friendly service.

The hypermarket will provide the widest range of quality and valuefor-money products all under one roof. It will have separate sections for fresh fruits and vegetables, meat and poultry, dairy products, ready-to-eat products and a live bakery. It also offers a huge area dedicated to electronics, IT products, home appliances, sports,

AWA R E N E S S P L A N

journey to reach customers in the interior areas of the Sultanate. The opening of the new store is indeed a moment of great pride and joy.

We plan to open more Lulu stores in the interior regions in the coming months as we believe that every customer should be able to enjoy a world-class shopping experience, no matter where they are.”

“The hypermarket will also offer a window of opportunity to local community. Lulu group has always been firm in its commitment to encourage the locally available talent and empower local communities from wherever we operate. We believe that having a strong national workforce is vital to our long-term success as it helps in creating sustainable community living. We do

have an ambitious plan to absorb enterprising youngsters and generate more job opportunities for them in the future,” he added.

Lulu’s winning formula of valuefor-money quality shopping has been very well received by consumers all over the world. An innovator in the retail industry with an impressive presence across the region and an ever expanding footprint, Lulu has always remained a genuine symbol of quality retailing.

Today, Lulu is immensely popular among its discerning shoppers as a one-stop shop for all their needs, true to its tagline “Lulu, where the world comes to shop”. The innumerable shoppers who patronise Lulu daily are the true testament to the popularity of its brand.

GOLD SPONSOR

MGM to conduct Haj educational event MUSCAT: With Eid Al Adha just around the corner and the Haj season ongoing, Muscat Grand Mall (MGM) is organising a special religious-educational event for students in the Sultanate within its premises. Running until the third day of Eid, the virtual event will take place in the main atrium.

The Haj is the annual pilgrimage undertaken by Muslims across the

furnishing and furniture, daily needs, personal care, kitchenware, crockery, kids toys, apparel and stationery, and health and beauty products. The outlet which is the 15th one in Oman also has the wide choice of world-class fashion brands and products for ladies, gents and kids.

The systematically arranged sections promise the customers an easy and hassle-free shopping experience. Extra-wide aisles, extensively laid out counters and ample parking space are some of the distinguishing features of this new store.

Commenting on the Sinaw outlet, Yusuff Ali said: “With more than a decade of success and accomplishment in Oman, Lulu is now pleased to embark on a new

world, as they congregate in Mecca. As a small initiative to inform children about the practices of the Haj, MGM will recreate this holy journey in a virtual manner, says a press release.

The rituals at the event will be created using carefully decorated cardboard props and children will be taught about the Islamic observances. Muscat Grand Mall

will provide Haj garments to the participants and activities will include taking turns around a representation of the Kaaba, participating in the Sa’ai and reciting verses among other initiatives.

The students will learn more about Haj by going through the stages as well as understand the stories and significance of each custom.

Bank Sohar sponsors ICV conference MUSCAT: In the continuous support for the Sultanate’s vision of economic diversification, Bank Sohar participated as the gold sponsor at the recently held ‘In-Country Value Conference 2015’ held under the auspices of Dr Fuad bin Jaffer Al Sajwani, minister of agriculture and fisheries wealth, and organised by Business Process Outsourcing Services LLC in association with the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI).

The In Country Value Conference (ICV) conference was held on the OCCI premises and was attended by approximately 150 guests including ministry officials and prominent business leaders from around the country, says a press release.

Representing Bank Sohar at the event was Mohammed Tahir Al Lawatia, AGM and head of Mid Sector Corporate, Talal Ali Al Zadjali, Sr. chief manager – Micro and Small Enterprises, and Viney Goel – chief manager SME. Commenting on the bank’s support and sponsorship of the event,

Sasi Kumar, DGM and head of Strategy and Corporate Business Division, said: “Maintaining In Country Value (ICV) is vital to the growth of a sustainable economy, especially so in a country like Oman where there is a need to diversify sources of incomes and reduce dependency on oil and gas. By retaining spends within the country, we can help stimulate productivity and foster further business and human capability development — all aspects that Bank Sohar has been a vehement supporter of since its very inception. Our commitment towards furthering such causes is clearly evident, not just through our products and services,

but also through our active participations in forums and events such as this one.”

With the primary aim of raising awareness about ICV and to motivate companies to participate in initiatives that promote it, the event commenced with a key note address by Fuad Al Sajwani and was followed by five interactive sessions conducted by two local and two international speakers.

The event also included an in-depth panel discussion and presentations on the concept of ICVs, which comprised human resources, products and services and support to small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

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VETTEL TRIUMPHS AS HAMILTON RETIRES Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel won an incident-packed Singapore Formula One Grand Prix on Sunday after world champion Lewis Hamilton retired early for the first time this season. >C6

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Oman down Nepal to qualify for AFC U-16 Championship While the 3-1 win saw Oman qualify for the AFC U-16 Championship, Nepal had to settle for second place and hope that their record will be good enough to see them join the Omanis in India

BISHKEK: Oman qualified for the AFC U-16 Championship courtesy of a 3-1 victory over a Nepal side that needed only a draw from Sunday’s encounter to top Group B ahead of the Sultanate.

An 11th minute strike from Thamir Al Zaabi supplemented

by Mohamed Khalifa Al Khamisi’s penalty with a minute of the first half remaining saw Oman put one foot in next year’s finals knowing that a win would see them join Nepal on six points and book their ticket to India on account of a better head-to-head record.

An 88th minute penalty from substitute Prezen Tamang -- who had replaced Rejin Subba, Nepal’s

INDIA BOUND: Oman under-16 team pose for a group photo.

hero in their 2-1 win over Jordan, just seven minutes earlier -- gave the South Asians a glimmer of hope but that was snuffed out two minutes second-half stoppage when fellow substitute Mohammed Obais Al Qaidi restored Oman’s two-goal advantage.

The win saw Oman qualify for the AFC U-16 Championship while Nepal had to settle for second place and hope that their record from their three matches in Bishkek will be good enough to see them join the Omanis in India as one of the four best second-placed teams.

The attendances for Kyrgyzstan’s matches have been impressive and the Group B hosts finally gave their fans something to cheer as the home side ended their campaign with a 4-1 win over Jordan.

The 7,400 fans that had turned up at the Dolen Omurzakov Stadium hoping for the young Kyrgyz to end on a high saw Gulzhigit Alykulov open the scoring after 11 minutes before Emir Shigaibaev put the home side 2-0 up in the 33rd minute.

Jordan reduced the deficit shortly after the restart when

substitute Laith Husam Mohammad Hbowal scored a 48th minute penalty having replaced Hamza Nayef Al Mrdi at the start of the second half.

But with Jordan reduced to ten men following the sending off of defender Mohammad Akram, Kyrgyzstan regained the initiative and after captain Maksat Dzhakybaliev made it 3-1 in the 72nd minute Timur Uulu Orzobek capped the win four minutes into secondhalf stoppage time as the Central Asians finished third ahead of the Jordanians.

Saudis book berth In Dhaka, Saudi Arabia stormed to a 6-2 victory over the UAE at a rain-soaked Bangabandhu National Stadium to qualify as Group D winners.

In Tabriz, Iran sealed their place when a convincing 6-0 hammering of Bahrain saw them finish top of Group E with a 100 percent record, with India defeated Lebanon by an identical scoreline to finish second.

In Vientiane, Malaysia came from behind to draw 1-1 with Laos to book their berth by topping a closely contested Group G. In the day’s earlier game, the Philippines ensured they exited the qualifiers on a high thanks to a commanding 9-2 win over Northern Mariana Islands. In Yanji, Korea Republic scored twice in each half to defeat China 4-0 and seal their place as Group I winners.

In Hanoi, Australia qualified for the championship when a 1-0 win over Vietnam helped the Joeys claim top spot in Group J. In Ulaanbaatar, Japan scored five times in the last 20 minutes to defeat Hong Kong 7-0 in their final qualifier and book their place as winners of three-team Group K. Eleven group winners and four best second-placed teams will join India in next year’s finals, with the tournament hosts receiving an automatic qualification. Should India finish top of their qualifying group or among the four best second-placed teams, the fifth best second-placed nation will qualify for the final competition. - AFC

RUGBY WORLD CUP

All Blacks forced to dig deep to fend off Pumas LONDON: Rattled holders New Zealand were forced to dig deep before subduing a fired-up Argentina 26-16 in a terrific Pool C opening match in front of an all-time

record Rugby World Cup crowd at Wembley Stadium on Sunday.

All Blacks trailed until the 56th minute, before tries by scrumhalf Aaron Smith and replacement

forward Sam Cane restored order.

But it was far from plain-sailing against the Pumas who showed intensity to lead 13-12 at halftime thanks to Guido Petti’s try as the

All Blacks made repeated errors, being reduced to 13 men late in the first half after Richie McCaw and Conrad Smith were sin-binned.

An 89,019 crowd at Wembley

INSIDE LIFESTYLE

was the biggest to watch a Rugby World Cup match, eclipsing the 82,957 who watched England beat Australia in the 2003 final in Sydney’s Olympic Stadium. - Reuters

CARDIAC ARREST

Jagmohan Dalmiya

India cricket chief Dalmiya passes away KOLKATA: Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) President Jagmohan Dalmiya, who was admitted to hospital few days back after he complained of chest pain, passed away at a city hospital this evening following a massive cardiac arrest.

The 75-year-old Dalmiya was admitted to the city’s BM Birla Hospital on Thursday night after which he also underwent a coronary angiography.

“Mr. Dalmiya died of internal gastrointestinal bleeding and internal organ failure,” hospital sources said confirming the veteran administrator’s death.

Cricket Association of Bengal sources added: “At 6 p.m. in the evening his condition deteriorated and shortly afterwards he suffered a massive cardiac arrest from which he could not recover.” Dalmiya has not been keeping well for a while now and was not actively taking part in the day-to-day functioning of the BCCI. Dalmiya took over the reins of the BCCI for a second time in March, after a gap of 10 years, when he got a walkover in the elections. But he has been ailing since then, and his health has deteriorated further over the last few weeks.

According to sources, BCCI Secretary Anurag Thakur and IPL Chairman Rajeev Shukla will reach here on Monday. - PTI

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Japan’s stunning win lifts a nation As bleary-eyed

Back to business for Japan after upsetting Boks

fans awoke with hangovers across Japan, the significance of the seismic last-gasp 34-32 triumph over the Springboks in the early hours of Sunday morning local time was already being felt

TOKYO: Japan ended 24 years of hurt by inflicting the biggest shock in Rugby World Cup history on South Africa — a huge lift to national spirits that should also quash fears of losing hosting rights to the troubled 2019 tournament.

As bleary-eyed fans awoke with hangovers across Japan, the significance of the seismic last-gasp 34-32 triumph over the Springboks in the early hours of Sunday morning local time — only their second win at a World Cup after beating Zimbabwe in 1991 — was already being felt.

“History!” screamed Japanese media almost universally, while the Nikkan Sports daily noted that Harry Potter creator J.K. Rowling had tweeted that not even she could have conjured up such a magical plot twist.

“Underdog refuses to take the draw, plays for the win, gets it in the final min... maybe in Quidditch,

BRIGHTON: As hard as it might be to wipe the grins off their faces, Japan readjusted their focus on the job in hand as the vagaries of the Rugby World Cup fixture means a second Pool B game just four days after their sensational win over South Africa.

Japan play Scotland in Gloucester on Wednesday with little time to recover from Saturday’s thrilling 34-32 triumph at Brighton’s Community Stadium.

“We had a chat out on the field (after the win over South Africa) and reminded the players we have two targets in this tournament and that is to reach the quarterfinals and be the team of the tournament,” said coach Eddie Jones after only a second victory in 25 World Cup games for the Asian nation.

“We made a splash against

but real life?” the author tweeted, referring to the wizarding game of her books. The Sankei Sports splashed Japan’s victory across the back page of Sunday’s evening edition, the game having finished around 3.00 a.m. local time.

“Japan shock the world!” blazed its headline, over a photo of captain Michael Leitch crashing over for a try. “Japan snatch historic win over World Cup hopefuls South Africa.”

The recent decision by the costcutting Japanese government to scrap plans for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic stadium had left rugby

C A P TA I N ’ S C A L L

ON TARGET: Japan head coach Eddie Jones, right, and Kosei

Ono celebrate after their victory over South Africa in Brighton on Saturday. – Reuters

South Africa but want to make a real dent in this tournament.

We want to back up what we did when we play against Scotland.

It will be a great occasion. Hope-

officials scrambling to find a new venue for the final and raised concerns over the country’s ability to stage the event.

South Africa had even hinted they would be prepared to step in as replacement hosts, an offer almost certainly killed off by Karne Hesketh’s injury-time match-winning try for the “Brave Blossoms” in the Pool B opener.

Meanwhile 6,000 miles away, before dawn had broken, staff in one corner of Tokyo sheepishly began clearing up after a barbecue party on the lawn of the South African embassy fell flat.

fully we’ll get crowd support as we did against South Africa.”

Jones had no complaints about having to play so quickly again. Three other Pool B teams

Japan coach Eddie Jones, who compared Saturday’s Pool B clash with the Springboks to David and Goliath, said: “I had to look at the scoreboard at the end just to see if it was true or not.”

His Brave Blossoms were not given a prayer with Japan’s only previous entry into the World Cup notoriety having been for the record defeat — crushed 145-17 by New Zealand in 1995.

Brave decision Japanese fans wept with joy after their team’s refusal to take three points and a draw with a kickable

South Africa, Samoa and the USA have a seven-day break between their first and second outings at the tournament.

“When you are at the bottom of the feeding chain you just accept what you get, mate. The little fish at the bottom of the ocean just eat what they can get.

That’s where we are. You accept it, that’s the schedule, we’ve known about it for two years.

There’s no moaning about.”

The coach said his players were fit, as they showed in a never-say-die performance on Saturday.

“One thing about Japanese players they can keep rolling it out. They are used to training for three to four hours a day at high school; four to five-hours-a-day at university. We have a few guys we need to look after and Scotland will be a tough.” - Reuters

penalty as time expired in order to go for the winning try, a decision former England coach Clive Woodward described as “the biggest in the history of the World Cup”.

Jones, whose Australia side were beaten by Woodward’s England in the 2003 World Cup final, predicted Japanese schoolchildren who might normally dream of playing baseball or football, could turn to rugby after seeing their heroes stun mighty South Africa.

“There are kids at home who will want to play rugby at the next World Cup now,” said Jones, who has targeted a place in the World

SHOCKED

Eddie Jones: ‘stud!’

“Oh my God!” yelled 21-year-old student Kaori Ishibashi after watching a repeat of the match at a Tokyo bar on Sunday morning.

“Goromaru is a stud! Eddie Jones is a stud!”

As social media lit up, several memes twisted the knife into South Africa, including one depicting a springbok caught in a giant pair of chopsticks.

“I ignored all my texts and didn’t know the result until watching the game on repeat,” Masaru Ikenoya said. “I bet Japan have stunned the world. It’s like the tiniest sumo wrestler knocking over a giant yokozuna — totally amazing!”

South African expats were shell-shocked. “I can’t believe we lost to Japan!” said Jim Bekker, a 26-year-old traveller looking the worse for wear. “But fair play to them, they deserved it.” - AFP WORST MOMENT

De Villiers asks players to step up BRIGHTON: South Africa’s experienced players need to take a good hard look at themselves and step up if they are to rescue the country’s Rugby World Cup hopes, said captain Jean de Villiers.

“The senior players have a massive role to play. Each player must now step (up) and make himself counted,” said de Villiers. “It is a World Cup and we need to focus on things we believe we are strong

Cup quarterfinals. “Kids who wanted to be the next (Masahiro) Tanaka at the New York Yankees or (Keisuke) Honda at AC Milan will now want to be Michael Leitch or Ayumu Goromaru.”

The memory of that monumental defeat by New Zealand in 1995 had stalked Japan at every World Cup, until now. Around 200 guests sipping champagne at the South African embassy in Tokyo were left stunned as Japan exorcised their demons in spectacular fashion.

“The Japanese went nuts when they scored the winner,” said journalist Jon Day, who attended the function. “There were lots of tears, and talk of how Eddie (Jones) is a genius.”

Tokyo Governor Yoichi Masuzoe, an outspoken critic of the Olympic stadium fiasco, tweeted: “I’m overjoyed. I would like to do everything possible to make the 2019 World Cup a success.”

Coach Meyer says sorry

at, and it’s up to the senior players now to lift the group and set the tone for the work we need to do.

“Each player let himself down. It was a below-par performance and is not acceptable with the standards we set ourselves. I don’t want to take anything away from Japan’s victory, but we have to take ownership of this performance and make ourselves accountable, we (the) players were on the field. - Reuters

Shocked supporters

South Africa reels from ‘humiliation’ by Japan JOHANNESBURG: The Springboks’ stunning defeat by Japan in their opening match of the Rugby World Cup has shocked South Africa, casting doubt on the team’s chances of progressing to the final stages of the tournament.

“Ultimate Bok Humiliation”, “Boks Humiliated” — were some of the headlines in South Africa’s main newspapers on Sunday.

The Sunday Times stated that the defeat by the team ranked 13 in the world “rocked the game to its very foundations” — South Africa are ranked No. 3 and have twice won the World Cup. Under the headline “Bok heads to roll”, the newspaper said the future of coach Heyneke Meyer may be in doubt following the shock defeat.

It also said the explosive match exposed flaws in Meyer’s “old man” game plan.

Meyer’s team included World

Cup veterans like Victor Matfield and Bryan Habana and was the most experienced South African outfit ever to take the to field with a combined total of 851 caps across the 15 starters.

In his column, former Springbok Ashwin Willemse wrote that the impact of the defeat “may be so devastating that we might not even make it past the quarterfinals or be lucky to even reach that stage”.

As a rugby-mad country, the 3432 defeat also drew widespread shock and surprise from fans, who expected the Springboks to cruise past a Japan side that had not won a World Cup match since 1991.

“I thought it was an absolute farce, I was expecting South Africa to win by a way, way big margin,” said Wayne Saralina, a 46-year-old fan.

The Springboks went to the

World Cup under the usual cloud of a race row over the selection of the team. Critics, including top government officials have repeatedly accused the sport’s administrators of maintaining elitism by mostly selecting white players.

The Sunday Times said “the pressure on the South African Rugby Union to transform the Springboks team will grow from many quarters”.

Even labour unions waded in, with the powerful confederation of trade unions, Cosatu lambasting Meyer.

“The ‘old’ injured white men were just useless and gave Japan the space to play a great game,” said a statement by the Western Cape branch of Cosatu.

“In the first half, Heyneke had all white players except the back three, and they were completely outplayed by Japan.” - AFP

BRIGHTON: Shellshocked South Africa coach Heyneke Meyer apologised to the nation after the two-time champions suffered the biggest Rugby World Cup upset ever against Japan on Saturday.

“It is by far the worst moment of my coaching career,” said Meyer. “This is a very big wake up call.”

The 47-year-old — whose side had already been hit by a historic defeat by Argentina in the Rugby Championship last month — said the Springboks must now lift themselves and win their remaining matches to try to top Pool B. “We represent a proud nation and I apologise to the nation.

We have got to take it on the chin and get back on track.

“It won’t be easy for us to do that. But I have to as coach take responsibility for this.”

Meyer watched powerless as the most experienced starting Springboks XV ever turned out were harried into errors.

“All credit to them (the Japanese) they did well and they hung in there,” said Meyer.

“We knew they were going to be tough but that we had to concentrate on the way we play.

I thought four tries was going to be enough but our discipline was not good enough. Their defence was brilliant, we didn’t get good enough ball and were never on the front foot.”

Meyer denied that South Africa had been over-confident.

“Definitely not, perhaps we paid them too much respect. They’ve beaten us and deserve all the credit, we never got going and chased the game.” - AFP

M O N DAY, S E P T E M B E R 2 1 , 2 0 1 5

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SPORTS KICKS THE DIFFERENCE

Samoa start their campaign with a win over the US BRIGHTON: With tougher tests ahead, Samoa started their Rugby World Cup campaign with a 25-16 win over the United States in Pool B on Sunday and, after South Africa’s shock defeat to Japan on Saturday, will be delighted to be safely over the first hurdle.

Kicks proved the difference as the teams scored two tries each but the US paid the price for giving away too many penalties after Samoa had established a 14-8 halftime lead in the midday sunshine in front of 29,178 at the Brighton Community Stadium, the scene of Japan’s stunning victory over the Springboks that blew the pool open a day earlier.

Tries from Tim Nanai-Williams and Ofisa Treviranus and 12 points from the foot of flyhalf Tusi Pisi and another penalty by Michael Stanley saw Samoa home.

The Americans stuck to their task throughout, though Chris Baumann’s try to cut the deficit to nine points came too late to have an impact.

Samoa have expectations of a quarter-final place for the first time since 1995, and with group matches to come against South Africa, Japan and Scotland, needed to make a positive start.

“It was tough but it has set us up for the next game. The South Africa loss to Japan showed that all teams at the World Cup have quality,” said Treviranus All the early initiative with was Samoa, spending considerable

time deep in U.S. territory and drawing gasps of amazement from the crowd with the intensity, and sheer brutal force, of their hits.

But it was a clever grubber kick

by Pisi rather than a line break that set up the first try after 20 minutes for fullback Tin NanaiWilliams, who only recently qualified to play for the country of his parents’ birth.

American flyhalf AJ MacGinty lead a speedy break from their own 25, cutting through the line to set up a try for Chris Wyles as the Americans replied with a try to trim the halftime score to 14-8.

Samoa’s second try came soon after the interval through Treviranus after another little grubber kick from a line-out and some hesitant US defence.

But Baumann’s try kept the score tight and left the U.S to rue conceding too many penalties and battling with some the elementary aspects of the game such as throwing in straight at the line-outs.

“We physically matched them but discipline let us down and our execution at times,” said US captain Wyles.

“We were still in a position to win right to the end and that gives us a huge positive.”

Samoa top the pool alongside Japan with four points to the two of South Africa — who they face next in Birmingham on Saturday. The US play Scotland next Sunday. - Reuters

HAT-TRICK MAN: Wales’ Cory Allen runs with the ball before scoring their third try during their Pool A match of the Rugby World Cup at

Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on Sunday. – Reuters

Allen scores hat-trick, Wales down Uruguay The Welsh scored four first-half tries, Samson Lee’s effort preceding Allen’s hat-trick.

Hallam Amos, Gareth Davies (2) and Justin Tipuric crossed in the second period, Rhys Priestland hitting seven conversions

FIRST HURDLE CLEARED: Samoa’s Jack Lam tries to avoid a tackle from Alan MacGinty of the US during their Rugby World Cup Pool B match at Brighton Community Stadium on Sunday. – Reuters

CARDIFF: Cory Allen scored a hat-trick as Wales laboured to a 54-9 victory over minnows Uruguay and suffered new injury scares in the Rugby World Cup on Sunday.

It was not the avalanche of points against the world’s 19th ranked nation that the 71,800 crowd in the Millennium Stadium wanted. But it ensured a crucial bonus point in the battle with England and Australia for top place in Pool A. The Welsh scored four first-half tries, Samson Lee’s effort preceding Allen’s hat-trick. Hallam Amos, Gareth Davies (2) and Justin Tipuric crossed in the second period, Rhys Priestland hitting seven conversions.

Wales now move on to much

tougher pool matches against England at Twickenham on Saturday, followed by Fiji in Cardiff on October 1 and then Australia on October 10, again at Twickenham.

Just the top two are guaranteed of automatic qualification for the quarterfinals from the so-called Pool of Death.

Wales coach Warren Gatland rested key forwards Alun Wyn Jones, Taulupe Faletau and Gethin Jenkins, and a crucial trio of backs in Dan Biggar, Jamie Roberts and George North, and in their absence the Welsh team struggled to click in a scrappy display against a team with just four professionals.

Uruguay held firm for almost 15 minutes, indeed leading 6-0, be-

INJURED

France wing Huget out of World Cup PARIS: France suffered a first setback in their Rugby World Cup campaign when wing Yoann Huget was ruled out with a knee injury on Sunday.

Huget sustained an injury to his right knee’s cruciate ligaments in his team’s Pool D opener, a 3210 win against Italy on Saturday, coach Philippe Saint-Andre told French TV channel TF1.

Saint-Andre then tweeted: “Big thoughts to Yoann Huget, Exemplary player in his investment.

Great lad. We are all with you, get well soon!”

A replacement, probably Remi Lamerat or Maxime Medard, is expected to be named later.

The 28-year-old Huget, who has 41 caps with Les Bleus, has

been a key member of the French squad since Saint-Andre took over from Marc Lievremont after the 2011 World Cup. Four years ago, Huget had withdrawn from the World Cup squad after failing to provide his whereabouts to anti-doping authorities on three occasions. Earlier, France coach Philippe Saint-Andre urged demanding fans to rejoice in their opening World Cup win over Italy and that they avoided the shock defeat suffered by South Africa.

Saint-Andre was relieved that France, much criticised in recent months, averted the humiliation inflicted on South Africa earlier Saturday when they were beaten 34-32 by Japan.

“Italy just two weeks ago nearly

won in Cardiff. As we have seen today, there are no easy matches,” said Saint-Andre. Maybe it’s better to be on the French side than the South African side.”

He was delighted by the support France received at the home ground of arch-rivals England.

“It was the first time I heard a ‘French’ Twickenham with the Marseillaise all throughout the match so I want to congratulate not just the team, but our public.”

France and Ireland, convincing 50-7 winners over Canada in Cardiff, are favourites to top a pool where the runners-up could face the New Zealand defending champions in the quarter finals.

Italy coach Jacques Brunel, whose side were missing inspi-

rational captain Sergio Parisse because of a knee injury, was unhappy with the way South African referee Craig Joubert repeatedly penalised his side at the scrum.

The set-piece has long been the foundation of Italy’s game but with Joubert repeatedly pulling up Azzurri hooker Leonard Ghiraldini, Italy’s stand-in skipper, they could not get into the game.

“The absence of Parisse, of course it is a big factor but it’s not the main factor in the difference in the score,” said Brunel.

“There was an imbalance in the scrum and we didn’t understand the referee,” the Frenchman added. “There were 12 scrums, we’ve been penalised six times and five on our own put-in.”- Agencies

fore Wales set-piece superiority started to show.

Uruguay, whose previous tournament appearances saw them notch up wins over Spain in 1999 and Georgia in 2003, got off to an ideal start with a second-minute Felipe Berchesi penalty after Tipuric failed to stay on his feet at the first ruck.

Third penalty Berchesi, one of the rare Uruguay players to play in Europe — for Caracassone in France’s second division, failed with a 53-metre effort but was on target minutes later after Jake Ball’s high tackle.

Priestland spurned two penalties from very kickable ranges to go for the corner, and from the second driving line-out, Lee crashed over for the opening try.

Allen was the recipient of a delicate Priestland dink over the South Americans’ defence, the centre squirming past Rodrigo Silva to score.

Berchesi kept Uruguay in the game with a third penalty after another high ball tackle before Allen was played in for his second after Scott Williams broke the line of a well-organised defence.

Worryingly for Wales, first prop

Paul James went off and then fullback Liam Williams, making his comeback from a long injury lay-off and seen as the natural successor to the injured Leigh Halfpennny.

Allen got his hat-trick on the stroke of half-time, Tipuric and Amos combining to hand the Cardiff Blues player the easiest of runins to guarantee Wales a bonus point in what promises to be the tightest of pools.

With Wales completely dominant on set-piece, Gatland brought Tomas Francis on for Lee, the tighthead having made a successful comeback from a ruptured achilles tendon in March.

Tipuric was denied a try early in the second period after a good cover tackle dislodged the ball as he crossed the line, but Amos was the beneficiary of a break by scrumhalf Davies, the winger extending the home side’s lead.

Allen then limped off injured as a visibly flagging Uruguay stuck gamely to their task.

Davies darted over for two deserved tries of his own either side of a Tipuric five-pointer after the flanker was driven over as Wales again tested their attacking lineout options and gave a gloss to the scoreboard. - AFP

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M O N DAY, S E P T E M B E R 2 1 , 2 0 1 5

SPORTS

India pick rookie all-rounder Gurkeerat, recall Aravind

‘SETTLED’

Waqar Younis

Gurkeerat was

Rohit ‘practising seam bowling’ to add value to the team

rewarded with a place in the ODI team for his consistent performance for India A in the recent limited overs matches while Aravind got a surprise recall in the T20 squad to be captained by Dhoni

BENGALURU: Rookie Punjab all-rounder Gurkeerat Singh Mann on Sunday earned his maiden India call-up while Karnataka seamer Srinath Aravind staged a comeback after four years as India announced its squads for the three T20 Internationals and the first three One-day Internationals (ODIs) for the upcoming home series against South Africa.

The 25-year-old Gurkeerat was rewarded with a place in the ODI team for his consistent performance for India A in the recent limited overs matches while leftarm seamer Aravind got a surprise recall in the T20 squad to be captained by Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Seasoned off-spinner Harbhajan Singh retained his place in the T20 team as selectors picked the squad looking ahead at the ICC World T20, next March.

Veteran leg-spinner Amit Mishra was recalled in both ODI and T20 squads announced by Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Anurag Thakur after a meeting of the selection committee here.

Barring Gurkeerat and Aravind’s inclusion, there were no major surprises with the selectors preferring to stick with recent pool of players who have done well for India.

All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja

NEW DELHI: Rohit Sharma is “practising seam bowling” to add to his aggressive brand of batsmanship, which he feels can be a vital asset in the days to come, at a time when India is struggling to churn out quality all-rounders.

“I have started practising seam bowling at the nets. It’s not an old thing as I started bowling seam-up stuff recently at the nets during our Test series in Sri Lanka. I am just bowling seamers and I need to speak to our bowling coach Bharath Arun to see how I can further improve,” Rohit said during an exclusive interview ahead of South Africa series.

“My idea is to add value to the side. If I can bowl 10 to 12 overs per day and could be that third or fourth seamer of the side according to conditions, my captain could be relieved. It is just that you need to constantly grow and add things in your armoury,” the stylish Mumbai batsman said.

While critics have panned him for not converting promising starts in the Sri Lanka Test series, the 28-year-old believes that his performance was satisfying considering that his

was a notable omission in both the squads while pacers Ishant Sharma and Varun Aaron, regarded as Test specialists, were not considered.

Seniors like Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan and Ravichandran Ashwin were automatic selections in both the teams. So were Ajinkya Rahane, Ambati Rayudu, Mohit Sharma and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, all of whom have been integral part of India’s limited overs’ scheme of things.

Chairman of selectors Sandeep Patil said that the squads have been picked keeping the World T20 in mind and also clarified that there was no discussions on removing Dhoni from ODI captaincy.

“We have not discussed anything

NEW ADVENTURE: Indian cricketer Rohit Sharma poses with the only living white Rhinoceros named Sudaan in Nairobi. – PTI

twin half centuries came in a winning cause.

“I am satisfied with my performance in the Test matches.

I know there was a chance to score a big hundred but my 50 in the third Test was satisfying.

But I am not sitting on my laurels and would like to improve on it,” said Rohit, who has

about captaincy of ODIs. We are very happy in the manner Dhoni has led the side and we have total backing for Dhoni during the upcoming series,” Patil rubbished the reports that emerged in some quarters about Dhoni’s removal from captaincy in the 50-over format.

“We have always discussed the forthcoming World T20. We have also discussed the possibilities and the performances of players and who all will be useful,” Patil told media persons.

About Gurkeerat’s selection, Patil said, “We have kept in mind his all-round abilities and his recent performances. He is an exciting youngster. The ‘A’ series has gone well and we as selectors are happy

scored 4,312 ODI and 870 Test runs, apart from 739 in T20s.

There had been times his dismissals invited criticism, with some attributing it to his lazy elegance, but Rohit believes that it is not easy to tweak someone’s natural game.

“People can say whatever they like but I can’t change my natu-

that a lot of exciting youngsters are coming up,” said Patil.

While Ishant Sharma was not considered for limited overs format, Patil said that his name was indeed discussed.

“It’s not that we are considering Ishant for Tests alone. We have discussed about him for ODIs as well as T20s.”

Asked if picking Axar Patel in the ODI squad over Harbhajan Singh was a way of looking towards future, Patil said: “We try and select the best possible side and we leave the final eleven on team management and captain.”

“They would pick the final XI considering the conditions of the pitch. We discussed Bhajji for

ral game that has been there for 10 years. It’s not going to change overnight. May be my stance, head position, some little things I might be able to improvise.

“I understand how people and media react. They watch the match only and come to a conclusion about a player’s approach.” - PTI

ODIs but unfortunately we can only pick 15. We have to keep in mind the pitch while picking a team in order to to get a right combination,” said Patil.

T20 squad: MS Dhoni (capt and wk), Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Ajinkya Rahane, Ambati Rayudu, Stuart Binny, R Ashwin, Axar Patel, Harbhajan Singh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohit Sharma, Amit Mishra, S Aravind.

ODI team (for first three matches): MS Dhoni (capt and wk), Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ambati Rayudu, Suresh Raina, Ajinkya Rahane, Stuart Binny, R Ashwin, Axar Patel, Gurkeerat Singh Mann, Amit Mishra, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohit Sharma, Umesh Yadav. - PTI

Pakistan coach Waqar upbeat ahead of England series LAHORE: Pakistan coach Waqar Younis on Sunday said his side was “settled” and confident ahead of their upcoming series against a buoyant Asheswinning England team.

Pakistan will face England in the first of three Tests in Abu Dhabi from October 13 with Pakistani hopes high after their 3-0 rout against the same opponents three years ago.

Then, as now, England entered the contest having vanquished their arch-foes Australia, their most recent contest ending in a 3-2 scoreline for the hosts. But former fastman Waqar said his fourth-ranked team had been consistent in the game’s longer format and stood up well to third-placed England.

“I think recently we played a Test series in Sri Lanka and from that result I will not hesitate to say that we are a good Test side,” Waqar told media during a training camp.

Pakistan beat Sri Lanka 2-1, Bangladesh 1-0, Australia 2-0 and finished 1-1 against New Zealand in their last four Test series.

“Our batting has done well for the last one year or so and even before that we played Australia and New Zealand we did well, but we will not take England lightly and for that we need to play with the same passion,” he said.

Waqar praised the Ashes winners but singled out leg-spinner Yasir Shah, who took 22 wickets in Sri Lanka, as a key player for the series.

Shah made his Test debut in late 2014 but has risen fast and is currently placed number four in the Test bowler rankings Before taking on England, Pakistan will tour Zimbabwe where they will play two Twenty20 and three One-day International matches from September 27 to October 5. - AFP

UNOFFICIALS ODIS

Raina ton helps India A clinch series against Bangladesh A BENGALURU: Senior batsman Suresh Raina hit a strokeful century to help India A outplay Bangladesh A by 75 runs via Duckworth/Lewis method in the third unofficial, rain-hit One-day International (ODI) and clinch the series 2-1, here on Sunday.

Electing to bat, the Unmukt Chand-led side rode on Raina’s 104-run knock to post 297 for six in 50 overs. The bowlers then restricted the visitors for 141 for six in 32 overs when rain halted play for the second and final time.

The first rain interruption saw the chasing target being revised to 290 runs in 46 overs, while the second and final rain halt saw a mathematical revision of 217 runs in 32 overs.

Karnataka left-arm seamer Sreenath Aravind celebrated his India seniors call-up with two crucial scalps. But it was the batting that did the trick for India A as Unmukt (41) stitched an 82run second-wicket partnership with wicketkeeper-batsman San-

TIMELY TON: Suresh Raina

ju Samson (90) to give the team a solid start after losing opener Mayank Agarwal (4) early.

Raina, who is getting ready for the South Africa series, was under a bit of pressure after getting 16 and 17 runs in the first and second

match respectively, rose to the occasion with his 94-ball knock, laced with 9 fours and a six. The left-hander’s 116-run third-wicket partnership with Samson also stood out. This was Raina’s sixth List A century.

The team saw a bit of a stutter in the middle but No. 7 batsman Rishi Dhawan finished off the innings in style with an unbeaten 51-ball 26 to help the hosts put up a challenging score.

In reply, the Mominul Haqueled side were never in the chase, as they lost regular wickets.

The middle-order tried to play savior, but the batsmen failed to convert their starts into bigger scores. Sabbir Rahman top-scored with an unbeatan 41, but the match was already lost by then.

Aravind (two for 14) two wickets in Rony Talukdar (9) and Anamul Haque (1) were followed by two scalps by chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav (two for 29) that finally broke the back of the Bangladesh A chase. - PTI

M O N DAY, S E P T E M B E R 2 1 , 2 0 1 5

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Al Mouj Muscat finish on top at first ranking race of the season Omani youngsters sail in honour of sailing hero Andrew Simpson as part of global Bart’s Bash event

MUSCAT: Youngsters from Oman Sail’s Omantel Youth Programme, sponsored by Oman Shipping Company, joined thousands of sailors around the world as part of this year’s ‘Bart’s Bash’, a global sailing event to commemorate sailing legend Andrew ‘Bart’ Simpson.

Established in 2014, Bart’s Bash is a global sailing event in aid of the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation and brought together over 30,700 people from 52 countries worldwide to sail over 54,000 miles in its first year, setting the record for ‘largest sailing race in the world’, as verified by Guinness World Records.

This year, Oman Sail dedicated the first ranking race of the winter season on 19 September at Oman Sail’s sailing school in Musannah to the cause and joined the worldwide sailing community in promoting the virtues of sailing.

The group of 50 sailors aged 15 and under were out to impress and score points towards their national rankings in order to be selected for the Oman National Optimist Squad

VIRTUES OF SAILING: Omantel Youth Programme members celebrate ‘Barts Bash’. – Supplied photo

ahead of a busy winter season. Races took place in the Optimist, Laser 4.7 and, for the first time, Techno 293 windsurfing classes. In the Optimist class, Al Moatasem Al Farsi finished first, with Mohammed Al Qasmi in second and Marwan Al Jabri completing the top three.

Khamis Al Wahaibi triumphed in the Laser 4.7 class with Salim Al

Alawi second and Abdul Aziz Al Wahaibi third. In the debut windsurfing ranking race, Abdul Majeed Al Hadhrami came out on top ahead of Abdullah Al Sarhi in second and Hammad Al Mujaini in third.

Overall, the school from Al Mouj Muscat topped the table with the best six results from all ranking races, the Mussanah Sailing

G R E E N S P O R T S I N I T I AT I V E

where 120 of the world’s best windsurfers will take to the waters from 17-24 October for an Olympic qualifier in preparation for the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Oman Sail operates a windsurfing club with eight participants aged 12-15 currently part of the programme. The aim for Oman Sail is to train a squad capable

ISC BADMINTON

Bank Muscat announces 15 new beneficiaries MUSCAT: In step with the ‘Let’s Do More’ vision for the economy, community and environment, the Green Sports initiative launched

by Bank Muscat to promote Oman as a sporting nation has gained momentum as the flagship financial services provider has announced 15 new beneficiaries for 2015.

With this, the unique Green Sports social responsibility initiative marking the successful fourth year has benefited a total of 49 teams across the Sultanate.

The 2015 Green Sports beneficiaries are Al Wast Sports Team of Al Khabourah; Al Jazeera Sports Team of Al Musannah/Widam Al Sahil; Al Genz Sports Team of Al Suwaiq; Al Tadhamun Sports Team of Adam; Al Qabasan Sports Team of Samail; Hayy Al Turrath of Nizwa; Al Nasr Sports Club of Bahla; Al Iraqi Sports Club of Ibri; Al Howayan Sports Club of Bidiya of Al Hawiyah; Al Khoudh Sports Club of Al Khoudh; Itihad Al Sahil of Qurayat; Al Lajal Sports Team of Wadi Al Maawil; Al Shabab Sports Team of Shinnas; Dhahir Al Fowars Sports Team of Yanqul; and Al Arabi Sports Team of Manah.

In 2015, the bank widened the scope of Green Sports initiative beyond greening of football fields.

From this year, sports teams seeking Green Sports support can choose from four options to either green their football fields with natural or synthetic turf, or avail support to affix flood lights or water desalination equipment to facilitate greening of fields in areas facing problems of water salinity. The move is aimed at providing wider representation to teams to build sustainable sports infrastructure

School finished in second with Marina Bandar Al Rowdha in third and Oman Sail’s newest sailing school in Sur finishing fourth.

This was the first time that Oman Sail’s young windsurfers have taken part in a ranking race. The debut comes ahead of the RS:X World Windsurfing Championships to be held in Mussanah next month

of representing Oman at future Olympic Games and participation in ranking races will form a key component of performance assessment ahead of competition.

Rashid Al Kindi, Oman Sail’s National Youth Team Manager, said: “Our young sailors appreciate that they are part of something bigger than themselves, and the ranking races provide a platform to showcase their talents and take the next step in their sailing careers as part of the Oman National Squad in and compete in Optimist, Laser 4.7 and Windsurfing competitions around the world.”

He added: “Bart’s Bash is a wonderful opportunity to join the wider sailing community and show our shared passion for a sport that has transformed the lives of so many young people. Andrew Simpson was an Olympic Gold and Silver medallist, as well as an America’s Cup sailor.

“He believed that you should never give up on achieving your goals and through sailing, Oman Sail is able to create opportunities for young Omani sailors to fulfil their dreams, represent the Sultanate internationally and give back to their country.”

Bart’s Bash is one of the valuable fund raising events for the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation, which supports a wide range of sustainable sailing projects around the world. Eminent sailors including Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, Sir Ben Ainslie, Tom Slingsby and former Oman Sail women’s programme mentor, Shirley Robertson OBE have joined forces in support of the event, and to help it to become the world’s biggest sporting event.

The unique Green Sports initiative marking the successful fourth year has benefited a total of 49 teams across the Sultanate

in all parts of the Sultanate.

The sports infrastructure facilities are also serving as a meeting place for children and youth to be engaged in gainful activities. The facility is being used to host various youth activities, group weddings and other celebrations. Such community programmes are helping children and youth to develop strong positive character traits.

Aimed at raising sporting heroes for the country, the bank remains committed to supporting all deserving teams across the Sultanate.

The funding criteria for the Green Sports programme include that sports teams should have been in existence for three years with a minimum membership of 300 youth from the local community. The bank recognises that local teams wield immense influence on neighbourhood communities, especially youth, hence teams with modern infrastructure facilities can help raise sporting heroes for the country.

The Green Sports initiative reiterates the bank’s support to Oman’s youth who represent the future of Oman, as also its commitment to sustainable development and protection of the environment, thereby ensuring all-round development of Oman. Bank Muscat recognises that sustainable development has the potential for achieving long-term benefits spanning economic, social, cultural and environmental dimensions.

Bank Muscat is proud to enhance support for the Green Sports initiative as part of its strategy to further strengthen its leadership role in social responsibility, inspired by the directive of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said to activate the role of the private sector in social responsibility and development of Omani society.

The consistent progress of the Green Sports initiative confirms the bank’s commitment to the programme aimed at providing ample opportunities for young Omanis to develop their sporting talents in an ideal environment.

The programme is expected to go a long way in developing the sporting skills and talents of Omani youth, thereby promoting the game of football in Oman.

Bank Muscat is committed to its ‘Let’s Do More’ vision for the economy, community and environment and is proud to have led the way in contributing to sustainable development in Oman with various initiatives. As the nation’s leading financial institution, Bank Muscat aims to provide the impetus for youth to excel in all arenas and thereby contribute to the development and progress of Oman.

Vatsal downs Akshit to enter semis MUSCAT: Vatsal Manikandan held his nerve to earn a place in the semifinals of the under-10 singles at the on-going National Bank of Oman-sponsored Annual Badminton Tournament organised by the Indian Social Club (ISC) Muscat.

In the quarterfinal, Vatsal overcame Akshit Ravindran 13-15, 1512, 15-13 for a place in the last four.

In other quarterfinals, Aaryan

Punja won 15-2, 15-3 against Mohamed Adnan, Abheed Gupta swept past Jewel Manoj 15-7, 15-3 and Aseem Kunte defeated Kritika Gupta 15-8, 8-15, 15-8 to line up a semifinal encounter against Vatsal.

Gayathri Krishna and Ashpruha Patnaik entered the final of the girls under-15 singles. Gayathri overcame Nayan Anil 21-17, 1221, 21-14 and Ashpruha defeated

Gauri Krishna with a brilliant 2119, 21-23, 21-15 victory.

In the second round of the men’s singles, Vinod Abraham defeated Nandakumar MK 21-13, 21-15 and Domnic Kennedy overcame Yash Deshpande 21-11, 22-20. Kennedy also progressed in the men’s A singles after seeing off Yogesh Narula 21-16, 21-8. Mohamad Nayaz overcame Arul Lobo 17-21, 21-18, 21-12.

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M O N DAY, S E P T E M B E R 2 1 , 2 0 1 5

SPORTS

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PREMIER LEAGUE

Martial sends Man United second, Liverpool held at home LONDON: Teenage striker Anthony Martial further endeared himself to Manchester United’s supporters with a nerveless brace as his side came from behind to win 3-2 at Southampton on Sunday.

Martial struck either side of half-time at St Mary’s after Graziano Pelle had given Southampton a 13th minute lead.

Juan Mata added a third in the 68th minute and despite Pelle scoring again, United held on for a victory that propelled Louis van Gaal’s side up to second place in the Premier League table, two points below leaders Manchester City, who lost 2-1 at home to West Ham United on Saturday.

United’s old rivals Liverpool

continue to struggle, having seen their run of league games without victory extended to four following a 1-1 draw at home to Norwich City.

Daniel Sturridge made his first appearance since April after hip surgery and his side went ahead in the 48th minute when Danny Ings, a half-time replacement for Christian Benteke, drilled home his

first Liverpool goal. But Norwich equalised 13 minutes later courtesy of a deft lob by centre-back Russell Martin — his third goal of the campaign.

The result left Brendan Rodgers’s Liverpool in 13th place, seven points below City, but a point above defending champions Chelsea, who beat Arsenal 2-0 on

Murray fires Britain into Davis Cup final Murray’s 25th win from 27 Davis Cup singles matches secured a first victory over old rivals Australia since 1978

PARIS: Andy Murray fired Great Britain into a first Davis Cup final in 37 years where they will face Belgium, who defeated Argentina 3-2 after a tense deciding singles clash in Brussels.

World No. 3 Murray cruised to a 7-5, 6-3, 6-2 win over Bernard Tomic to give his team a 3-1 winning lead over Australia in their semifinal in Glasgow despite playing three days in succession.

The 28-year-old’s 25th win from 27 Davis Cup singles matches secured a first victory over old rivals Australia since 1978. It puts ninetime winners Britain on the verge of an historic first title triumph since 1936 when Fred Perry and Bunny Austin sealed a 3-2 victory over Australia at Wimbledon.

DESERVING WINNERS: Andy Murray, second left, celebrates with

his Great Britain teammates after their victory over Australia in the Davis Cup semifinal in Glasgow on Sunday. – AFP

“Winning for your country and your team-mates means a lot. The crowd were unbelievable from the first ball to the last,” Murray told the BBC. “I didn’t feel great the whole weekend to be honest, I’ve been struggling with my back, but I just tried to disguise it.”

Great Britain captain Leon Smith hailed the impact of former Wimbledon and US Open champion Murray.

“He’s quite good isn’t he? It’s pretty amazing watching Andy’s work over the whole weekend, he fights so hard and he’s got the quality. He executed it perfectly today.”

It is a remarkable turnaround for a British team that have risen from being on the verge of relegation to Europe/Africa Group III, the lowest level of the competition, in 2010, to being World Group finalists in 2015. Murray, who won both singles matches and the doubles with brother Jamie, is now looking to become only the fourth player ever to win the Davis Cup, Olympic gold and multiple Grand Slams.

In Brussels, world No. 15 David Goffin kept Belgium afloat against Argentina with a routine 6-3, 6-2, 6-1 win over Diego Schwartzman to level their semifinal at 2-2. Steve

Darcis outlasted Leonardo Mayer for 7-6 (5), 7-6 (1), 4-6, 6-3 to help Belgium reach the final with a 3-2 victory.

“I’ve played a lot these last two days and I’ve got a few aches,” said 64th-ranked Darcis ahead of his meeting with Delbonis, one spot below the Belgian in the world rankings. But I’m going to give my all — it’s the match of a lifetime.”

Belgium are bidding to reach their first final since 1904 while Argentina are also yet to win the title, finishing runners-up on four occasions in all and three times since 2006.

In the play-offs, where the winners will feature in the elite World Group in 2016, Roger Federer defeated Thiemo de Bakker 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 as Switzerland wrapped up victory over the Netherlands in Geneva.

In Tashkent, Jack Sock defeated Denis Istomin 6-2, 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 to give 32-time champions United States victory over Uzbekistan.

Italy also preserved their World Group status when Fabio Fognini defeated Teymuraz Gabashvili 7-6 (7/4), 6-3, 7-6 (7/5) to secure victory against Russia in Irkutsk. In Gydnia, Poland clinched a World Group spot for the first time when Michal Przysiezny defeated Slovakia’s Norbert Gombos in the deciding fifth rubber, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4. - AFP

Saturday in a game that saw Gabriel and Santi Cazorla sent off for Arsene Wenger’s side.

Earlier, Son Heung-Min’s first Premier League goal earned Tottenham Hotspur victory over Crystal Palace. The South Korea international struck in the 68th minute at White Hart Lane, moments after Spurs goalkeeper Hugo Lloris had

tipped a shot from Bakary Sako onto the post at the other end, to give the hosts a 1-0 win.

Son has now scored three goals in two games, after his debut brace against Qarabag of Azerbaijan in the Europa League, and Spurs coach Mauricio Pochettino hailed his impact following his move from Bayer Leverkusen. - AFP

TENNIS

IN ELITE GROUP: Czech Republic’s Jiri Vesely, centre, celebrates after winning against India’s Yuki Bhambri in the reverse singles match on the third day of the Davis Cup play-offs at the R.K.Khanna Tennis Stadium in New Delhi on Sunday. – AFP

Czechs past India into World Group NEW DELHI: The Czech Republic stormed into the elite World Group on Sunday after Jiri Vesely thrashed India’s Yuki Bhambri in the deciding reverse singles for a 3-1 victory in the Davis Cup playoff.

Vesely, the world No. 40, kept his cool in the sweltering heat for an emphatic 6-3, 7-5, 6-2 win over India’s No. 1 player at New Delhi’s R. K. Khanna Stadium.

The win helped seal the tie for the visitors, who were level following the opening singles on Friday and who won the doubles on Saturday.

The teams decided not to play the last reverse singles scheduled for later because of the hot

and humid conditions. India had managed to equalise 1-1 on Friday after the unfancied Somdev Devvarman shocked Vesely in the second singles.

But on Saturday the star pair of Leander Paes, fresh from his mixed doubles win at the US Open, and Rohan Bopanna lost to Radek Stepanek and Adam Pavlasek, handing the visitors a 2-1 lead.

Sunday’s victory helped the three-time Davis Cup champions keep intact their record of not dropping outside the competition’s elite since 2006.

India, who last made it to the World Group in 2011, will now be relegated to play in the zonal competition. - AFP

SINGAPORE GP

Vettel triumphs after Hamilton retires SINGAPORE: Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel won an incidentpacked Singapore Formula One Grand Prix on Sunday after world champion Lewis Hamilton retired early for the first time this season and an intruder set heart rates fluttering when he strolled on to the track.

Hamilton was running fourth approaching the halfway point of the 61-lap race when he lost engine power, rapidly dropping back through the field before he was told to return to the garage and call it a night.

Starting from pole position, Vettel had no problems, leading all the way to take the chequered flag for the fourth time at the floodlit Marina Bay Street Circuit, despite twice losing the big advantage he had built up when the safety car was deployed.

Australia’s Daniel Ricciardo finished second for Red Bull, his best result of a frustrating year, while Vettel’s teammate Kimi Raikkonen crossed the line third.

“It must be one of my best races.

It was pretty intense,” Vettel said.

“Lots of pressure from behind; Daniel had a very good race looking after his tyres.

“Second stint I was dictating the pace. From then, I was trying to control the gap. We had a really great weekend.”

Nico Rosberg finished fourth for Mercedes to cut Hamilton’s championship lead to 41 points

POLE TO PODIUM: Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel celebrates on the podium after winning the Singapore Grand Prix at the Marina Bay street circuit on Sunday. – Reuters

with six races remaining.

Vettel trails Hamilton by 49 and Raikkonen is 145 adrift with a maximum of 150 available. No other driver has a chance of winning the championship.

“If we have more weekends like this, yes we can catch Mercedes,” Vettel said. “Massive attack. Maybe we can make the impossible pos-

sible — we will definitely go for it.”

Vettel’s win was the German’s third this season and the 42nd of his career, enabling the quadruple world champion to overtake the late Ayrton Senna into outright third place for the most lifetime wins, trailing only Michael Schumacher (91) and Alain Prost (51).

A proven master on the slow

and twisty Singapore track, Vettel gave his rivals no chance when he planted his foot on the accelerator and made a flying getaway from the front of the grid.

The 28-year-old opened up a three-second lead over Ricciardo on the opening lap and was never seriously challenged even when the safety car was introduced.

Its first appearance came on the 13th lap when Felipe Massa exited the pits and was hit from the side

by Nico Hulkenberg who speared into a wall, wrecking his Force India car and ending his race. The second came when a spectator walked on the circuit before climbing back though a hole in the fence.

“If there was no safety car we could have been close for the undercut but the two safety cars came at pretty crucial times,” Ricciardo said. “It was really good to back up qualifying. We matched Seb in race pace and we have got to be pretty happy.”

Hamilton, who needs one more win to draw level with his childhood hero Senna, endured his worst weekend of the season.

The Englishman struggled with his tyres in qualifying, starting fifth on the grid, and his race came to an end just when it looked like he might be able to challenge for a spot on the podium.

“I was feeling super optimistic and easily keeping up,” he told the BBC. “I was hoping for a quick fix but it never came.” - Reuters

C

SECTION

LIFESTYLE

Gear WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM

Automobiles are considered as one of the biggest marvels of science. Not only did the advent of automobiles revolutionise how the world travelled, but also shaped the industrial revolution. The loyal horse of the modern man, we bring you the major advancements and breakthroughs in the amazing world of cars.

M O N DAY, S E P T E M B E R 2 1 , 2 0 1 5

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LIFESTYLE

THE RISE

1901

1901

C. L. Horock designs the “telescope” shock absorber, using a piston and cylinder fitted inside a metal sleeve, with a one-way valve built into the piston. As air or oil moves through the valve into the cylinder, the piston moves freely in one direction but is resisted in the other direction by the air or oil. The result is a smoother ride and less lingering bounce. The telescope shock absorber is still used today.

The Olds automobile factory starts production in Detroit. Ransom E. Olds contracts with outside companies for parts, thus helping to originate mass production techniques. Olds produces 425 cars in its first year of operation, introducing the three-horsepower “curved-dash” Oldsmobile at $650.

The car is a success; Olds is selling 5,000 units a year by 1905.

THE TELESCOPE SHOCK ABSORBER DEVELOPED

OLD AUTOMOBILE FACTORY STARTS PRODUCTION

Automobiles may not have been born in the 20th century, but they were not yet out of diapers when it began. Even after Gottlieb Daimler and Karl Benz introduced their improved fourstroke internal combustion engine, autos in both the United States and Europe were still poking along at a few miles an hour (a sizeable proportion of them still running on electricity or steam). They could boast no battery starter, roof, or windows and were priced only for the rich. Then Henry Ford fine-tuned the mass production of his Tin Lizzie and the world drove off into the age of affordable transportation—forever altering our notions of place, distance, and community. Here is a timeline of a few of the major advancements that redefined the world of automobiles

1914

GREAT

FIRST CAR BODY MADE ENTIRELY OF STEEL

FIRST SINGLE FOOT PEDAL TO OPERATE COUPLED FOUR-WHEEL BRAKES

FIRST AMERICAN CAR WITH FOUR-WHEEL HYDRAULIC BRAKES

1922

1926

FIRST POWER STEERING SYSTEM

FIRST MODERN INDEPENDENT FRONT SUSPENSION SYSTEM

Dodge introduces the first car body made entirely of steel, fabricated by the Budd Company. The Dodge touring car is made in Hamtramck, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit.

The Hispano-Suiza H6B, a French luxury car, demonstrates the first single foot pedal to operate coupled four-wheel brakes. Previously drivers had to apply a hand brake and a foot brake simultaneously.

The Duesenberg, made in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, is the first car with four-wheel hydraulic brakes, replacing ones that relied on the pressure of the driver’s foot alone.

Hydraulic brakes use a master cylinder in a hydraulic system to keep pressure evenly applied to each wheel of the car as the driver presses on the brake pedal.

Francis Wright Davis uses a Pierce-Arrow to introduce the first power steering system. It works by integrating the steering linkage with a hydraulics system.

Mercedes-Benz introduces the first modern independent front suspension system, giving cars a smoother ride and better handling. By making each front wheel virtually independent of the other though attached to a single axle, independent front suspension minimises the transfer of road shock from one wheel to the other.

1960S

1966

1970S

1970S

1980S

Fuel prices escalate, driving a demand for fuel-efficient cars, which increases the sale of small Japanese cars. This helps elevate the Japanese automobile industry to one of the greatest in the world.

The Japanese popularise “just in time” delivery of auto parts to factory floors, thus reducing warehousing costs. They also popularise statistical process control, a method developed but not applied in the United States until the Japanese demonstrate how it improves quality.

EFFORTS BEGIN TO REDUCE HARMFUL EMISSIONS

Automakers begin efforts to reduce harmful emissions, starting with the introduction of positive crankcase ventilation in 1963. PCV valves route gases back to the cylinders for further combustion.

With the introduction of catalytic converters in the 1970s, hydrocarbon emissions are reduced 95 per cent by the end of the century compared to emissions in 1967.

1919

ELECTRONIC FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM DEVELOPED

AIRBAGS BECOME STANDARD

Airbags, introduced in some models in the 1970s, become standard in more cars. Originally installed only on the driver’s side, they begin to appear on the front passenger side as well.

FUEL PRICES ESCALATE, DRIVING DEMAND FOR FUEL-EFFICIENT CARS

An electronic fuel injection system is developed in Britain. Fuel injection delivers carefully controlled fuel and air to the cylinders to keep a car’s engine running at its most efficient.

1931

JAPANESE POPULARISE “JUST IN TIME” DELIVERY OF AUTO PARTS

WEB TOOL

Facebook launches newsgathering tool for journalists In a move to take on micro-blogging site Twitter, which is the biggest source of breaking news for journalists, Facebook has launched an innovative newsgathering tool that will help reporters scan and file stories from the ocean of information on Facebook and its photosharing site Instagram.

Called Signal, the free tool will help journalists track relevant trends, photos, videos, and posts from nearly 1.5 billion Facebook users and Instagram’s 300 million users for storytelling and report-

ing. “We have heard from journalists that they want an easy way to make Facebook a more vital part of their newsgathering,” posted Andy Mitchell, director of media partnerships, on Facebook website.

“We are excited to introduce Signal, for Facebook and Instagram, a free discovery and curation tool for journalists who want to source, gather, and embed newsworthy content from Facebook and Instagram, across news, culture, entertainment, sports, and more - all in one place,” she wrote. With this

tool, journalists interested in seeing what conversations are resonating on Facebook can monitor which topics are trending and then quickly display related content that has been shared publicly from both people and pages for deeper context on those trends. “Search functionality makes it easy to surface content directly related to a story or topic they are tracking,” Mitchell added Journalists can access lists of public figures ranked by who is being mentioned the most on Facebook, including real-time conver-

sations across politicians, authors, actors, musicians, sports teams, players and more.

“Using location-tag and topic-related search functionality, journalists can search Instagram for public posts related to specific hashtags, associated with specific public accounts, or tagged with locations using an interactive global map,” she further posted.

Every Facebook post, every Instagram image or video, and every metric found in Signal can be easily saved for later use. -IANS

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1908

Standard drum brakes are invented by Louis Renault. His brakes work by using a cam to force apart two hinged shoes. Drum brakes are improved in many ways over the years, but the basic principle remains in cars for the entire 20th century; even with the advent of disk brakes in the 1970s, drum brakes remain the standard for rear wheels.

William Durant forms General Motors. His combination of car producers and auto parts makers eventually becomes the largest corporation in the world.

1934

WILLIAM DURANT FORMS GENERAL MOTORS

1935

1908

MODEL T INTRODUCED

1911

1913

Charles Kettering introduces the electric starter. Until this time engines had to be started by hand cranking. Critics believed no one could make an electric starter small enough to fit under a car’s hood yet powerful enough to start the engine. His starters first saw service in 1912 Cadillacs.

Ford Motor Company develops the first moving assembly line for automobiles.

It brings the cars to the workers rather than having workers walk around factories gathering parts and tools and performing tasks. Under the Ford assembly line process, workers perform a single task rather than master whole portions of automobile assembly. The Highland Park, Michigan, plant produces 300,000 cars in 1914. Ford’s process allows it to drop the price of its Model T continually over the next 14 years, transforming cars from unaffordable luxuries into transportation for the masses.

ELECTRIC STARTER INTRODUCED

Henry Ford begins making the Model T. First-year production is 10,660 cars. Cadillac is awarded the Dewar Trophy by Britain’s Royal Automobile Club for a demonstration of the precision and interchangeability of the parts from which the car is assembled.

Mass production thus makes more headway in the industry.

1939

1940

FIRST MOVING ASSEMBLY LINE FOR AUTOMOBILES DEVELOPED

1950S

FIRST SUCCESSFUL MASS-PRODUCED FRONTWHEEL-DRIVE CAR

FLASHING TURN SIGNALS INTRODUCED

FIRST AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM ADDED TO AUTOMOBILES

JEEP IS DESIGNED

CRUISE CONTROL IS DEVELOPED

The French automobile Citroën Traction Avant is the first successful mass-produced front-wheeldrive car. Citroën also pioneers the all-steel unitised body-frame structure (chassis and body are welded together). Audi in Germany and Ford in the United States offer front-wheel drive.

A Delaware company uses a thermal interrupter switch to create flashing turn signals. Electricity flowing through a wire expands it, completing a circuit and allowing current to reach the lightbulb. This short-circuits the wire, which then shrinks and terminates contact with the bulb but is then ready for another cycle. Transistor circuits begin taking over the task of thermal interrupters in the 1960s.

The Nash Motor Company adds the first air conditioning system to cars.

Karl Pabst designs the Jeep, workhorse of WWII. More than 360,000 are made for the Allied armed forces. Oldsmobile introduces the first mass-produced, fully automatic transmission.

Ralph Teeter, a blind man, senses by ear that cars on the Pennsylvania Turnpike travel at uneven speeds, which he believes leads to accidents. Through the 1940s he develops a cruise control mechanism that a driver can set to hold the car at a steady speed. Unpopular when generally introduced in the 1950s, cruise control is now standard on more than 70 per cent of today’s automobiles.

1985

1992

ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS) AVAILABLE ON CARS

ENERGY POLICY ACT OF 1992 ENCOURAGES ALTERNATIVE-FUEL VEHICLES

1997

FIRST AMERICAN CARMAKER OFFERS AUTOMATIC STABILITY CONTROL

OF THE

1902

STANDARD DRUM BRAKES ARE INVENTED

AUTOMOBILE FAMOUS MEN BEHIND THE AUTOMOBILE INVENTION

The Lincoln becomes the first car to offer an antilock braking system (ABS), which is made

by Teves of Germany. ABS uses computerised sensing of wheel movement and hydraulic pressure to each wheel to adjust pressure so that the wheels continue to move somewhat rather than “locking up” during emergency braking.

Passage of the federal Energy Policy Act of 1992 encourages alternative-fuel vehicles. These include automobiles run with mixtures of alcohols and gasoline, with natural gas, or by some combination of conventional fuel and battery power.

Cadillac is the first American carmaker to offer automatic stability control, increasing safety in emergency handling situations. faisal@timesofoman.com

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Nicolaus August Otto (1832-1891) One of the most important landmarks in engine design comes from Nicolaus Otto who in 1876 invented an effective gas motor engine. Nicolaus Otto built the first practical four-stroke internal combustion engine called the “Otto Cycle Engine.”

Henry Ford (1863-1947) Sponsor of the development of the assembly line technique of mass production, revolutionising the automobile world and making cars affordable for the common man.

Gottlieb Daimler (1834-1900) In 1885, Gottlieb Daimler invented a gas engine that allowed for a revolution in car design. On March 8, 1886, Daimler took a stagecoach and adapted it to hold his engine, thereby designing the world’s first four-wheeled automobile.

Rudolf Diesel (1858-1913) Rudolf Diesel invented the dieselfuelled internal combustion engine. The engine that bears his name set off a new chapter in the industrial revolution.

Karl Benz (1844-1929) Karl Benz was the German mechanical engineer who designed and in 1885 built the world’s first practical automobile to be powered by an internal-combustion engine.

Charles Franklin Kettering (1876-1958) Charles Franklin Kettering invented the first automobile electrical ignition system and the first practical engine-driven generator.

C10

M O N DAY, S E P T E M B E R 2 1 , 2 0 1 5

FIND-IT-ALL CINEMA SCHEDULE

PRAYER TIMINGS

@SHATTI

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SHATTI THE MAZE RUNNER: SCORCH TRIALS (Action, Sci fi) (PG12)(3D) Cast: Dylan O’Brien, Kaya Scodelario 2:00, 9:15, 11:45 pm THE MAZE RUNNER: SCORCH TRIALS (Action, Sci fi) (PG12)(2D) Cast: Dylan O’Brien, Kaya Scodelario 6:45 pm American Ultra (Action, Drama)(12+) Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart 5:00, 9:30 pm The Transporter Refueled (Action)(PG12) Cast: Ed Skrein, Loan Chabanol 4:30, 11:30 pm MOOMINS ON THE RIVIERA (Animation) 2:00, 3:30 pm (PG) EDEN (Drama, Thriller)(12+)(2D) 4:00, 5:45 pm Cast: Jessica Lowndes, James Remar EVEREST (Adventure, Drama)(PG)(3D/IMAX) 1:45, 9:30, 11:55 pm EVEREST (Adventure, Drama)(PG)(2D) Cast: Jason Clarke, Ang Phula Sherpa 7:00 pm HARA MAZNOUKA (12+)(ARABIC) Cast: Ahmed Fathy, Ola Ghanem 7:30 pm

Katti Batti(Hindi) : 2D (Romance) (TBC) Cast : Imran Khan, Kangana Ranaut 9:15 PM The Dead Lands : 2D (Action ) (15+) Cast : James Rolleston, Lawrence Makaore 12:30 PM The Transporter Refueled : 2D (PG12) Cast : Ed Skrein, Loan Chabano 2:45 PM Moomins on the Riviera: 2D (Family) (PG) Cast : Maria Sid, Mats Langbacka 10:15 AM, 12:00, 3:30 PM

MUSCAT GRAND MALL Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials: 3D (PG12) Timing: 10:00 AM, 9:30, 11:55 PM Gold Class: 3:45, 8:45, 11:15 PM Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials: 2D (Action, Sci-Fi, Thriller) (PG12) 4:45 PM American Ultra: 2D (Action,Comedy) (12+) Cast: Jesse Eisenberg,, Kristen Stewart 1:30, 7:15 PM Everest : 3D (Adventure, Drama, Thriller) (PG) Cast : Jason Clarke, Ang Phula Sherpa 7:15, 11:45 PM Gold Class: 1:15, 6:15 PM Everest : 2D (Adventure, Drama, Thriller) (PG) 5:00 PM

AZAIBA Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials – 2D (PG12) Action, Sci-Fi, Thriller 5:30 PM Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials – 3D (PG12) Action, Sci-Fi, Thriller Cast: Dylan O’Brien, Kaya Scodelario 2:30, 8:00, 10:30 PM Utopiayile Rajavu - 2D (PG) Family, Comedy Cast: Mammootty, Jewel Mary, K. P. A. C. 8:00 PM Moomins on the Riviera – 2D (PG) 2:15, 3:45 PM Maya – 2D (15+) Horror Cast: Nayanthara, Aari, Amzath Khan 5:15, 10:45 PM

THE MAZE RUNNER: SCORCH TRIALS (Action, Sci fi) (PG12)(3D) Cast : Dylan O’Brien, Kaya Scodelario Timings: 2:00, 9:15, 11:45 pm

EVEREST : 3D (Adventure, Drama, Thriller) (PG) Cast : Jason Clarke, Ang Phula Sherpa Timings : 7:15, 11:45 PM Gold Class: 1:15, 6:15 PM

Everest – 3D (PG) Adventure, Drama, Thriller Cast: Jason Clarke, Ang Phula Sherpa 6:45, 11:15 PM Everest – 2D (PG) Adventure, Drama, Thriller Cast: Jason Clarke, Ang Phula Sherpa 3:15 PM Katti Batti – 2D (TBC) Romance Cast: Imran Khan, Kangana Ranaut 3:45, 6:15, 8:45 PM The Transporter Refueled - 2D (PG12) 2:00, 11:30 PM American Ultra – 2D (12+) Action, Comedy 12:15, 5:30 PM Hero – 2D (PG12) Action, Drama, Romance 9:00 PM

TO MUSCAT (RUWI) Arrival Operating time days

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Maximum

16:30 18:00 19:30

Daily Daily Daily

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06:45 08:30 10:00

TO AL BURAIMI (ROUTE 41)

TO AL BURAIMI (ROUTE 41)

06:30 06:30 08:00 13:00 13:00 16.00 16.00

07:00 07:00 13:30 13:00 13:00 13:00 17:00

Sohar Buraimi Buraimi Sohar Buraimi Sohar Buraimi

08:50 Daily 11:00 Daily 14:30 Daily via Ibri 15:45 Daily 17:40 Daily 18.35 Daily 20:20 Daily

TO SINAW (ROUTE 52) 17:30

Sinaw

Nizwa Yanqul

Daily

Nizwa Al Araqi

16:50 19:30

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Sur Sur

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Fahud Yibal

12:00 18:45

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Salalah Marmul Salalah Salalah

10:30 11:15

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20:00 20:30 23:30 07:40

Marmul

Dubai

16:50

Daily

Sohar Dubai Sohar Dubai Sohar Dubai

15:40 15:40

Nizwa Ruwi

17:55 20:20

Daily Daily

06:00 14:30

Ruwi Ruwi

10:45 19:00

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12:30 12:30

Fahud Ruwi

13:15 17:30

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Ruwi Marmul Ruwi Ruwi

19:50 13:15 22:30 07:30

PRISHA SHARMA September 21, 2010

07:00

Daily

08:30 11:30 15:30 18:30 17:35 20:55

Daily Daily Wed,Thur Wed,Thur Daily Daily

06:00

Marmul

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15:00

Salalah

07:00

Daily

10:50 13:40 16:15 19:10 18:45 21:35

Daily Daily Thur-Fri Thur-Fri Daily Daily

TO DUBAI (ROUTE 201) 07:30 07:30 13:00 13:00 15:30 15:30

Sohar Ruwi Sohar Ruwi Sohar Ruwi

FROM DUBAI VIA FUJIRAH/SHARJAH (ROUTE 204)

07:00 07:00 07:00

16:00 16.00 16.00

11.45 13.30 14.00

TANVIR MUDI September 21, 2010

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Sharjah Fujairah Ruwi

16:30 18.15 23.00

LISTINGS

ROYAL OMAN POLICE Emergencies and inquiries: 9999 General Directorate of Passport and Residence 24569603 Directorate General of Customs 24521109 Traffic violations inquiries 24510228 Public Relations Admin 24560099 EMBASSIES IN OMAN

Daily Daily Daily Daily

TO DUBAI VIA FUJIRAH & SHARJAH (ROUTE 204) Fujairah Sharjah Dubai

Programmes are subject to change

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Daily Daily

DUBAI TO SALALAH (ROUTE 102)

TO DUBAI (ROUTE 201) 06:00 06:00 13:00 13:00 15:00 15:00

08:40 11:00

TO MARMUL (ROUTE 101)

SALALAH TO DUBAI (ROUTE 102) 15:00

Nizwa Ruwi

TO SALALAH -MARMUL (ROUTE 100) Daily Daily Daily Daily

TO MARMUL (ROUTE 101) 06:00

06:00 06:00

Utopiayile Rajavu (Mal) ( Com ) Cast: Mammootty & Jewel Mary 3-30 & 9-30 pm Cinema Main; 6-45 pm Cinema-3 Thani Oruvan (Mal) ( Act/Drama ) Cast: Jayam Ravi, Nayanthara & Arvind Swamy 3-30, 6-30 & 9-30 pm Cinema-2 Maya (Tamil) ( Horror) Cast: Natanthara & Aari 3-45 & 9-45 pm At Cinema-3; 6-30 pm at Cinema Main Loham (Mal) (Drama/Act) Cast: Mohanlal, Andrea & Renji Paniker 3-45, 6-45 & 9-45 pm at Cinema – 4 NEXT CHANGE:Trisha Illana Nayanthara (Tamil); Rajni Murugan (Tamil)

Daily

TO YIBAL - FAHUD (ROUTE 62)

TO MARMUL-SALALAH (ROUTE 100) 07:00 10:00 10:00 19:00

10:25

TO SUR (ROUTE 55)

TO FAHUD - YIBAL (ROUTE 62) 06:30 06:30

Ruwi

Film information 24791641 / 24786776 Website: www.isurf.co.om

TO IBRI (ARAQI) (ROUTE 54)

10:20 12:30

TO SUR (ROUTE 55) 07:30 14:30

07:00

STAR CINEMA

WITH LOVE

37 28 Minimum

Everest (Adventure/Thriller/Drama) Cast: Elizebeth Debicki, Jake Gyllenhal, Keira Knightly 3.45, 7.30, 9.45 & 11.55 pm CP No: 2391 (PG) The Deadlands ( Action ) Cast: James Rolleston, Lawrence Makoare 2.45, 10.00 & 11.55 pm CP No: 2392 ( 15+) Tekken 2 (Action) Cast: Kane Kosugi, Cary Heroiki Tagawa, Rade Serbedzija 4.45 & 8.15 pm CP No: 2394 (15+) The Blood Lands (Horror/Mystery/Thriller) Cast: Pollynna Mc Intosh, Lee williams, Jonea Mitchel 1.00 & 6.30 pm CP No: 2393 (12+) Zero Tolerance (Action) Cast: Dustin Nguyen, Scott Adkins, Sahajak Boonthanakit 12.15 pm CP No: 2371 (12+) Moomins On The Riviera (Animation) Cast: Maria Sid, Mats Langbacka, Kristofer Gummerus 2.00 & 6.00 pm CP No: 2395 (PG)

SALALAH Tekken: Kazuya’s Revenge (2D) (15+) Cast: Kane Kosugi, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa 10:15AM, 2:00, 10:15PM Everest (3D) (PG) (Adventure/Drama/Thriller) Cast: Jason Clarke, Ang Phula Sherpa 10:15AM, 7:00, 11:55PM Everest (2D) (PG) (Adventure/Drama/Thriller) 2:15PM Moomins on the Riviera (2D) (PG) 10:00AM, 3:45PM The Transporter Refueled (2D) (PG12) 2:30, 11:30 PM Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials (3D) 11:30AM, 9:15, 11:45PM (PG12) Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials (2D) (PG12) (Action, Sci-Fi, Thriller) 4:30PM Katti Batti (2D) (PG12) (Romance) 12:00, 7:45PM American Ultra (2D) (12+) (Action) 12:30, 4:15PM Utopiayile Rajavu (2D) (PG) (Malayalam) 8:45PM Maaya (2D) (15+)(Tamil) (Horror) 6:00PM Hero (2D) (PG12) (Action/Drama/Romance) 5:15PM

BURAIMI Maze Runner: The Scroch Trails - 3D (Action, Sci-FI, Thriller) (PG12) 5:00, 9:30, 11:55PM Everest – 3D (Adventure, Drama ) (PG) 5:15, 7:20, 11:45PM American Ultra – 2D (Action, Comedy) (12+) 11:30PM The Transporter Refueled– 2D (Action ) 5:30, 11:30 PM (PG12)

TO YANQUL (ROUTE 54)

TO IBRI (ARAQI) (ROUTE 54) 08:00 08:00

08:55 Daily 11:40 Daily 20:20 Daily via Ibri 14:55 Daily 17:40 Daily 19:20 Daily 22:15 Daily

TO SINAW (ROUTE 52) 20:50

TO YANQUL (ROUTE 54) 14:30 14:30

Sohar Ruwi Ruwi Sohar Ruwi Sohar Ruwi

Daily Daily Daily

Katti Batti - 2D (TBC) Romance 9:15 PM Moomins on the Riviera - 2D (PG) Cast: Maria Sid, Mats Långbacka 3:00, 4:30 PM Maya - 2D (T) (15+) Horror Cast: Nayanthara, Aari, Amzath Khan 6:00 PM Utopiayile Rajavu - 2D (M) (PG) Family Cast: Mammootty, Jewel Mary, K. P. A. C. 8:45 PM Eden - 2D (12+) Drama, Thriller Cast: Jessica Lowndes, James Remar 2:30, 11:55 PM Hara Maznouka - 2D (Arb) (12+) Comedy Cast: Ahmed Fathy, Ola Ghanem 8:25 PM

WEATHER

QURIYAT - SUR - JAALAN (ROUTE 36) Quriyat Sur Jaalan

SOHAR The Transporter Refueled - 2D (PG12) Cast: Ed Skrein, Loan Chabanol 5:15, 10:10 PM American Ultra - 2D (12+) Action, Comedy Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart 4:15, 11:30 PM Hero - 2D (PG12) Action, Drama, Romance Cast: Sooraj Pancholi, Athiya Shetty 6:00 PM Everest - 2D (PG) Adventure, Drama, Thriller Cast: Jason Clarke, Ang Phula Sherpa 4:45 PM Everest - 3D (PG) Adventure, Drama, Thriller 2:30, 7:00, 11:45 PM Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials - 3D 7:00, 9:30, 11:55 PM (PG12) Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials - 2D (PG12) Action, Sci-Fi, Thriller 2:45 PM

Film information 24540856 / Advance Booking 24540855 Website: www.albahjacinemaoman.com

SUR Maze Runner : the Scorch Trails (3D) (Action | Sci - Fi ) (PG12) 7:00, 11:45 PM The Dead Land (Action) (15+) CP# 6:30 PM Utopiayile Rajavu (Malayalam)(Family ) Cast: Mammooty, Jewel Mary, K. P. A. C. 11:00 PM (PG) Katti Batti (Hindi) (Romance) (TBC) 8:30 PM American Ultra (Action | Comedy) (12+) 5:15PM Everest (3D) (Adventure | Drama) (PG) 4:15, 9:30 PM

KATTI BATTI (ROMANCE) – PG12 Cast: Kangana Ranaut, Imran Khan Timings: 3.30, 6.30, 9.30 PM

Everest (2D) (Adventure, Drama) – PG 3.45 PM Welcome Back (Comedy) – 12+ 6.45 PM Phantom (Action) – PG Cast: Saif Ali Khan and Katrina Kaif 9.45 PM

RUWI SCREEN 1 Katti Batti (Romance) – PG12 Cast:Kangana Ranaut, Imran Khan 3.30, 6.30, 9.30 PM SCREEN 2 Welcome Back (Comedy) – 12+ 3.45 PM Everest (3D) (Adventure, Drama, Thriller) Cast: Elizabeth Debicki, Jake Gyllenhaal, Keira 6.45, 9:45 PM (PG) SCREEN 3

LONG DISTANCE BUS TIMINGS (OMAN NATIONAL TRANSPORT COMPANY SAOC) *SUBJECT TO CHANGE

FROM MUSCAT (RUWI)

MOOMINS ON THE RIVIERA - 2D (PG) Voice Overs : Maria Sid, Mats Långbacka Timings : 3:00, 4:30 PM

BAHJA CINEMA

The Blood Lands – 2D (Horror) (12+) Cast: Pollyanna McIntosh, Lee Williams 10:00 PM Tekken Kazuya’s Revenge – 2D (Act) (15+) Cast: Kane Kousgi, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa 10:00 PM Katti Batti – 2D (Romance/Comedy) (PG12) 7:30PM Maaya – 2D (Horror) (15+) Cast: Nayantara, Aari, Amzath Khan 7:15 PM

@RUWI

CITY CINEMA Contact (10 am to 6PM) 24567664 | 68. www.citycinemaoman.net facebook.com/citycinemaoman

Destination

12.05pm 3.31pm 6.10pm 7.21pm 4.40am

CHILDREN BELOW THE AGE OF 3 YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE CINEMA | BOX-OFFICE COUNTER OPENS 30-MINUTES PRIOR TO THE SCREENING OF THE FIRST SHOW

@MGM

Dept time

Dhuhr Asr Maghrib Isha Fajr (Tomorrow)

Daily Daily Daily

Afghanistan Algeria Bahrain Bangladesh Brazil Brunei China Cyprus Egypt France Germany India Indonesia Iran Iraq Italy Japan Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya South Korea Kuwait

24698 791/4 24605 593 24 605 074/133 24 698 660 24640100 24 603533 24 696782 24 699815 24 600 982/411 24681 800 24835000 24684500 2469 1050 24 696 944/7 24603642 24693727 24 601 028 24692760/1/3 24 692418 24 697664 24 691490 24 699628

Lebanon Libya Malaysia Morocco Nepal Netherlands Pakistan Palestine Philippines Qatar Russia Saudi Arabia Senegal Somalia South Africa Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Switzerland Syria Tanzania Thailand Tunisia Turkey UAE United Kingdom United States Yemen

24 693208 24603466 24698329/643 24696152/3 24696177 24603706 24603439 24601312 24605335 24 691 153/2/4 24602894 24601705 24694139 24697977 24647300 24691101 24697841/2 24697875 24603267 24697904 24601 174 24 602684/5 24603486 24697050/1/2 24400000 24609000 24643400 24600815

PHARMACIES Round the clock Al Hashar Pharmacy, Ruwi 24783334

Apollo Medical Centre, Hamriya Muscat Pharmacy, Ruwi Salalah Atlas Pharmacy, Ghubra Muscat Region Apollo, Al Hamriya Muscat, A Seeb Market Muscat, Al Khuwair Muscat, Al Hail South Dhofar Region Muscat, Al Nahdha Road, Salalah

24782666 24702542 23291635; 24503585 24787766 24421691 24485740 24537080

23291635

HOSPITALS Al Amal Medical & Health Care Centre 24485052 Atlas Hospital Ruwi 24811743/ Ghubra 24504000 Al Musafir Specialised Medical Clinic 24706453 Hatat Polyclinic LLC, Ruwi 24563641 Azaiba 24499269 Sohar 2683006 Al Raffah Hospital 24618900/1/2 Al Massaraat Clinic & Laboratory 24566435 Al Makook Medical Coordinance Centre 24499434 Apollo Medical Centre,

Hamriya 24787766, 24787780 Capital Polyclinic 24707549 Badr Al Samaa Polyclinic, Ruwi 24799760/1/2 Capital Clinic, Seeb 24420740 Ceregem National Raak 24485633 Dr Harub’s Clinic 24563217 Elixir Health Centre 24565802 Emirates Medical Centre 24604540 1st Chiropractic Centre 24472274 Hamdan Hospital 23212340 International Medical Centre LLC 24794501/2/3/4/5 Kims Oman Hospital 24760100 24 Hrs Emergency 24760123 Lama Polyclinic, Sohar 26751128 MBD 24799077 Al Khuwair 24478818 Magrabi Eye and Ear Hospital 24568870 Muscat Private Hospital 24583600 Welcare Diagnostic and Treatment Centre, Al Khuwair 24477666 Al-Hayat Polyclinc LLC 22004000 AIRLINE OFFICES Muscat Airport Flight information (24 hours) 24519456/24519223 Aeroflot 24704455 Air Arabia 24700828 Air France 24562153 Air India 24799801

Air New Zealand 24700732 Biman Bangladesh Airlines 24701128 British Airways 24568777 Cathay Pacific 24789818 Egypt Air 24794113 Emirates Air 24404400 Ethiopian Airlines 24660313 Gulf Air 80072424 Indian 24791914 Iran Air 24787423 Japan Airlines 24704455 Jazeera Airways 23294848 Jet Airways 24787248 Kenya Airways 24660300 KML Royal Dutch Airlines 24566737 Kuwait Airways 24701262 LOT Polish Airlines 24796387 Lufthansa 24796692 Malaysian Airlines 24560796 Middle East Airlines 24796680 Oman Air 24531111 Pakistan International Airlines 24792471 Qatar Airways 24771900 Qantas 24559941 Royal Jordanian 24796693 Saudi Arabian Airlines 24789485 Singapore Airlines 24791233 Shaheen Air 24816565 SriLankan Airlines 24784545 Swiss International Airlines 24796692 Thai Airways 24705934

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LIFESTYLE BRIEFS

Harry Potter Invisibility Cloak Now a Reality TURNING science fiction that you must have witnessed in sci-fi film Star Trek or the Harry Potter series into a stunning reality, a team of US scientists has devised the first ever ultrathin invisibility “skin” cloak that can wrap around an object and make it vanish in a jiffy. Although the cloak is only microscopic in size, the principles behind the technology should enable it to be scaled-up to conceal macroscopic items as well.

Working with brick-like blocks of gold nanoantennas, the researchers from the US Department of Energy (DOE)’s Berkeley Lab and University of California (UC)-Berkeley “fashioned a “skin” cloak barely 80 nanometers in thickness. It was wrapped around a 3D object about the size of a few biological cells and arbitrarily shaped with multiple bumps and dents.

It conformed to the shape of the object and concealed it from detection with visible light. “This is the first time a 3D object of arbitrary shape has been cloaked from visible light,” said Xiang Zhang, director of Berkeley Lab’s Materials Sciences Division and a world authority on metamaterials. “Our ultrathin cloak now looks like a coat. It is easy to design and implement,” he said in a paper that appeared in the journal Science.

Taking Selfies to a New Level, We Have Spoon Selfie

T

he recent unfortunate death of rising F1 IndyCar driver Justin Wilson, reminded me yet again of life’s fragility.

There he sat in his ride’s cockpit, all buckled safe and secure; and he didn’t even err — it was the nose cone of driver Sage Karam’s car which flew off after he crashed, and struck Wilson in the head, and Wilson paid the ultimate price.

This brings me to the point back in time when I used to be too careless or, might I say, over-confident about my riding skills. I do recall how I did not always wear my motorcycle gear when venturing out on my sports-bike — the Kawasaki Ninja ZX 14R. I had all the right gear, a Bell helmet, good quality Alpinestar leather and textile jackets and a decent pair of ankle motorcycle boots, not to forget gloves.

Yet, I always wore my everyday denim jeans along with just the helmet, and I was game.

Of course it occurred to me that I was not wearing the right gear, but I don’t think I was all that concerned.

I was too confident that nothing untoward could befall me on the road, because I rode sensibly (that I always did), plus the jeans were comfortable; I felt relaxed in them and I looked good in them.

However, since I got the Vulcan 2000, I can honestly say, I always wear my motorcycle gear. I do find I am more vigilant these days when operating a high performance motorbike. Reason for the change of heart? An accident of my biker buddy, who was years senior to me in biking, and to whom I looked up as my Guru. All that confidence

was shattered instantly.

For anyone who has ever ridden a motorcycle on the open road you know what a fantastic feeling of freedom it can bring, but you also know that since we are sharing the roadway with other much larger and heavier vehicles it can also be dangerous.

Remember, unfortunate incidents are more often a result of negligence on part of that other rash, careless driver on the road — so better be not too confident of your abilities.

You can’t control what the other drivers on the road will do, but you can take some simple precautions to make sure you have a good shot at walking away if you are in an accident. A good rider is one who is prepared in advance: alert enough to dodge, and prepared enough to avoid serious injuries, in case any nasty incident was still to happen.

The biggest blunder motorcycle riders commit is not wearing full protective gear. For most out there on the road, a helmet is all that protective gear means. Unfortunately, for many, when they think of riding their motorcycle they are thinking of being free and looking cool and not about their own safety, which is why so many motorcyclists end up severely injured every year in road accidents. Wearing proper riding gear is more about practicality and less about making a fashion statement. And to add to it, a rider actually looks hotter on his bike in full gear, than just in shorts and tees.

Many motorcycle accidents are easily preventable and often are

Unfortunately, for many, when they think of riding their motorcycle they are thinking of being free and looking cool and not about their own safety, which is why so many motorcyclists end up severely injured every year in road accidents. Wearing proper riding gear is more about practicality and less about making a fashion statement

the direct result of riders not wearing the proper motorcycle protective clothing. Injuries such as skin abrasions and lacerations from not wearing protective motorcycle clothing, hand and finger damage from not wearing gloves, broken ankles from not wearing motorcycle boots, could all be avoided.

Curb your excuses and bring a bit of a change in attitude. Yes, motorcycling is fun, adrenalinefuelled and somewhat naughty, but also dangerous. It is a responsibility to ride safely at all times. Part of riding safely involves wearing the right motorcycle protective gear.

Have fun on your motorcycle, but be responsible too. They go hand in hand. Motorcyclists rarely come out on top when in a collision, so it is essential that you protect yourself by using motorcycle protective gear whenever you ride.

Just stop and think for a minute what it would feel like to slide across a roadway at 100kmph without adequate protection for your body and/head. Not good.

Whether you’re riding across town or across the country, always wear protective gear; that’s the best way to ensure you will be riding for many more years to come.

Cover up. Keep your skin where it belongs, not on the pavement.

There is no reason to take unnecessary risks. Enjoy the freedom of biking but protect yourself at the same time. Use motorcycle protective gear every single time you ride.

Don’t take foolish chances with your safety. Protect yourself. More next time — Ride Safe. faisal@timesofoman.com

EVER fancied clicking a selfie while eating breakfast? Well, you can do that easily now thanks to a new “selfie spoon”. Introduced by Cinnamon Toast Crunch, the “selfie spoon” is a stick with a spoon at the end that extends up to 30 inches so cereal eaters can take photos of themselves while eating cereal, TIME reported. The General Mills brand created this new spin on the selfie stick to solve the first world problem of “choosing between eating and posting” a selfie, according to their ad. To use the selfie spoon, people would just have to turn on the Bluetooth feature on their smartphones so the white remote will be recognised — there is one grey button that takes photos on Android phones, and one that takes photos on iOS devices. Selfie spoons are free to order now on SelfieSpoon.com, though customers do have to pay for shipping. -IANS

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M O N DAY, S E P T E M B E R 2 1 , 2 0 1 5

LIFESTYLE

Apple Wins Appeal Over Smartphone Patents In what could be a major blow, Samsung could be forced to stop selling some phones after

T

he decision comes after a lawsuit first filed in 2012 in which Apple claimed Samsung was using some of its technology without proper permission. The case was decided in May 2014 when Apple was awarded $120m (£76m) in damages.

At issue were Apple patents covering autocorrect software, sliding a finger on a screen to unlock a phone and ways to turn text into hyperlinks.

Apple had appealed Samsung should stop selling phones using the disputed features. Judges disagreed as they believed the company had not demonstrated it had suffered significant harm from the infringement.

However, the latest ruling overturns that decision. Now, two of the three judges reviewing the case have said Apple deserves an injunction to stop Samsung selling some phones.

This does not mean Samsung will be forced to stop selling phones that use the disputed technology right

away. The ruling means the case returns to the lower district court which will decide on whether an injunction is appropriate.

Apple and Samsung have faced each other in court many times over technology patents they own.

In late 2014, the two firms agreed to drop all the patent cases being fought outside the US. Still at issue is a 2012 decision in a separate case that initially awarded Apple more than $1b in damages for Samsung’s use of its patented technologies. Subsequent legal hearings reduced the damages to $930m but Samsung has appealed against this revised figure.

It is not clear though what impact the ruling will have on Samsung because it only covers phones, such as the Galaxy S3, that were sold in 2012 and have now largely disappeared from shop shelves. In addition, Samsung has updated the software on its handsets so newer models do not use the disputed features.

— Agencies

Photo: Supplied

Apple won an appeal in a US court

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W W W.T I M E S O F O M A N . C O M M O N DAY, S E P T E M B E R 2 1 , 2 0 1 5

SECTION

CONNEC T H E D A I LY G U I D E

RENT

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VACANCY

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CARGO

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*Classified Advertisement space booking with text, should be done till 12.00 noon for next day’s publication. * Subject to space availability

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M O N DAY, S E P T E M B E R 2 1 , 2 0 1 5 Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461

DAILY GUIDE FOR RENT

FOR RENT Al Ahlia Real Estate L.L.C

95957000/24504001/24504003

New 1/2 B/R RES/ Comm. flats near Medical College Bausher directly from owner.

Contact :92158031

Available furnished meeting hall for seminars on a hourly, daily, monthly, yearly basis. please contact 93203773 : Email: mbdeast@gmail.com

Villas and flats for rent.

Contact: 99120014. www.dreamhomesoman.com

2 BHK with split AC Al Khuwair -33 for residential & commercial use.

Contact : 94057023

Deluxe 3 BHK Penthouse with Seaview, ideal for office / residence at Qurum near PDO. Contact: 9772 1313 / 95070421

Rooms for rent in Al Khuwair near Ibis Hotel with AC. Contact: 95124975

For rent : showroom / storage space available (area 290 SQM, 6M height) facing Al Mina street, Jibroo.

Contact: 99360631 / 96760819

Deluxe 1,2,3 bedroom flats in Wadi Kabir , Ruwi, Mumtaz & Al Khuwair areas. Contact : 24707340 / 99472457 / 95282986

Villa in Bausher 36 for Rent : Mordent design, Mordent decorations with spot lights, 4 bedrooms, 6 balconies, Kitchen, Store, 6 toilets, full marble, full split unit.

Contact 94009600

Deluxe villas at Al Hail.

Contact 95282986

New Building in Mutrah, 2 B/D Room Flat + Setting Room,3 Baths+ Kitchen with split unit Ac’s. Behind Khimiji’s main office/opposite to Oman House Call 99419712 Wadi Kabir, 2 Bed Room Flat with sitting Room, 2 Bath Rooms+ Kitchen. Opposite to Kuwaiti Mosque.

Close to Indian school.

Call 99419712/99261628 2BHK new flats in Al Khud rent 240/-. Contact: 97616158 Twin villa with basement for rent AL Khuwair 25. Contact: 99359988 3 BHK, 3 bathrooms, 2 balconies Nr Al Hassan, W/Kabir R.O 325/-.

Contact: 99384640 House for rent 4BR family hall, fitting room, dining room, kitchen, store with A/C & satellite reception at Mawaleh south , behind Sultan discount center rent R.O 550/-.

Contact: 93653311

Villa for rent: 6 bed rooms, 1 sitting room, 2 halls, 1 kitchen and 1 pantry.

Al Mawaleh South phase 3 close to Al Sahwah roundabout, first line behind Amwag perfume factory.

Contact - 99360366

Two shops in Muttrah Souq, for rent more details please contact: 91214849 / 99364735 New flats for rent in Darsait Al Sahal. Contact: 99777351 VILLA IN AZAIBA – Four Bed Room Villa, near Well Roundabout & Umm Al Qura Mosque. Available for sharing also. Call 92887809 / 98048207.

Flats in Ruwi, Muttrah, Mumtaz area available. Contact: 24813822 Villa for rent - Al Seeb/Al Mawelah - Block 5 - 4 bedrooms with attached bathrooms , Majlis, 2 halls, kitchen and storeroom. split Ac and carpark contact 99564616 / 99498448 1BHK Wadi Kabeer near Sana RO 180/-. Contact : 95094028

600 SQT commercial flat for rent opposite Oman flourmill Darsait more details. Contact: 91214849/ 99364735 Flats, shops for rent in Ruwi, MBD & Mumtaz area. Contact 97293708 Flats in Al Khuwair 33 with gym free for tenants 2 BHK RO.425/-.

Contact 93161111 3BHK flat Darsait Near I.D card Medical 450/- R.O. Contact: 99358589 / 95570288

Fully Furnished 2BHK Apartments available at Bareeq Al Shatti.

Contact 92888063

1& 2 BHK flats for rent at Wadi Kabir, Wadi Adai, Hamriya, Al Khoud and Mabela and shop at Al Khoud land line. Contact : 24834644 GSM 93994401/ 02/ 03, 3 lines

2BHK with split AC near PDO Gate No.2 Qurum available for immediate renting. Contact : 94057023

Twin villa 6BR hall, kitchen at Al Ansab-2. Contact: 99747560 / 99444786

Shops for rent in Wadi Kabeer.

Contact: 99888390 1BHK flats available for rent in CBD area. Contact: 98116480 Flat for rent in Hamriya.

Contact: 99341112 Furnished room for rent at Al Khuwair R.O 225/- for family only.

Contact: 99251975 2BHK, 2 Baths, Split A/C, Wadi kabeer towards Al bustan, Near Indian Elementary School.

Contact 99441193, 93004802 Spacious 2BHK with attached bathroom near Lulu Wadikabir. Rent – OMR 280/=. Contact 98759576 or 95822833 2 bedroom villa in Sidab.

Contact: 95755953 / 95555162 1BHK Ruwi & 3BHK Bosher.

Contact: 99024730 2BHK new Amerat with AC 230/R.O. Contact: 99024730 Villa /room for rent Al Qurum behind Mars. Contact: 95349530 / 99586517 2BHK close to Indian school kindergarten Wadi Kabir R.O 320/-, 1BHK R.O 250/-. Contact: 99476728 / 98484415 Room with A.C at AL Khuwair R.O 120/-. Contact: 97799175 1BHK flat with A/C AL Khuwair 250/- R.O. Contact: 99358589 / 95570288

3BHK well maintained flat (villa type) G. floor split A/C separate entrance, parking, and compound available in Al Khuwair behind Sagar Polyclinic Way no. 3922, Block 239, Villa No. 1839.

Contact: 99253125 2 BHK Flats for rent Muttrah near Oman house. Contact: 97007934 / 92629232 New flats 1 room and living room with accessories & 2 rooms and living room with accessories in Wadi Kabir. Contact: 92130703 / 96045478 New flats for rent in Darsait, Al Sahal. Contact : 99311525 Two shops in Muttrah Souq, for rent more details pleas.

Contact: 91214849 / 95729711 Flat and show room for rent Al Khuwair 33, Al Ghubrah, Darsait and Jibroo. Contact: 24485240 / 24485241 / 93651633 / 92109563 1BHK near Al Nahdha Ruwi.

Contact: 99617786 1 & 2 bedroom flats available for rent in wadi-kabir (opp: pencil bldg), ideal for company staff / families bulk corporate deal possible.

Contact: 97677170

Flats in Al Khuwair 2 BHK RO.350/Contact – 93161111.

Furnished flat in Bareeq Al Shatti 2 BHK RO.750/-. Contact 93161111 Commercial villa near Bareeq Al Shatti 8 BHK + swimming pool RO.2500/-. Contact 93161111 Villa in Madinate Sultan Qaboos 3BHK + maid room RO.1400/-.

Contact 93161111 Villa in Al Khuwair 4 BHK RO.600/-, Flat in Madinate Sultan Qaboos 3BHK RO.600/-.

Contact 93161111 Flat in Qurum near PDO 2 BHK + 1 BHK RO.550/ – 375/Contact 93161111 Flats in Azaiba opp to Al Sahwa Tower 2 BHK RO.450/- 1BHK RO.350/-. Contact 93161111 Villa for rent in Al Khuwair 33, 8 bedrooms & 5 bathrooms with parking area near Taimur Mosque.

Contact: 99366624

*Classified Advertisement space booking with text, should be done till 12.00 noon for next day’s publication. * Subject to space availability

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DAILY GUIDE

AFFORDABLE QUALIFIED STAFF AVAILABLE: EŽ ƟŵĞ ƚŽ ƐĐƌƵƟŶŝnjĞ ƐƚĂī ĂŵŽŶŐ ƚŚŽƵƐĂŶĚƐ͍ EĞĞĚ ŝŶƚĞƌŶĂƟŽŶĂů ƐƚĂī Ăƚ ĂŶ ĂƌƌĂŶŐĞŵĞŶƚ͍ tĞ ĂƌĞ Ă ŵĂŶƉŽǁĞƌ ĂŐĞŶĐLJ ǁŚŽ ŚĞĂĚͲŚƵŶƚ ƚŚĞ ƐƚĂī ĨƌŽŵ ĂŶLJ ƉĂƌƚ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ǁŽƌůĚ͊ tĞ ƐĐƌĞĞŶ ƚŚĞ ĂƉƉůŝĐĂŶƚƐ ƐĞǀĞƌĂůůLJ ƚŽ ĞŶƐƵƌĞ ƚŚĂƚ LJŽƵ ŐĞƚ ŽŶůLJ ƚŚĞ ďĞƐƚ ŝƐĐŽǀĞƌ ǁŚLJ ƚŽƉ ĞŵƉůŽLJĞƌƐ ƉƌĞĨĞƌ ƵƐ ĨŽƌ ƐƚĂĸŶŐ͊

Hurry and call this number now!

95967902 UNIVERSAL SCRAP BUYERS AT AMAZING PRICES Convert ANY type of Scrap into Money by selling us the scrap Great prices are guaranteed for our clients!

Call this number now for urgent response -

96059470

CLASSY, CREATIVE AND AFFORDABLE INTERIOR DESIGN 'Ğƚ ĐƵƐƚŽŵŝnjĞĚ͕ &ŝƫŶŐ͕ ĂŶĚ ƵŶŝƋƵĞ ŝŶƚĞƌŝŽƌ ĚĞƐŝŐŶƐ ŵĂĚĞ ĨƌŽŵ ƐĐƌĂƚĐŚ͘ Our professionals give YOU: ͻ ƵƚŽ ĂĚ >ĂLJŽƵƚ ͻ D W ƌĂǁŝŶŐƐ ͻ Ϯ ĂŶĚ ϯ ĚƌĂǁŝŶŐ ͻ /ŶŶŽǀĂƟǀĞ ŽŶĐĞƉƚ ĞƐŝŐŶ Hurry now and call this number

91494149

*Kindly note that the scrap should be 50 tons onwards

ĨŽƌ ĂŶ ĞdžĐůƵƐŝǀĞ ůŝŵŝƚĞĚͲƟŵĞ ŽīĞƌ ĚŝƐĐŽƵŶƚ͊​͊​͊

FOR HIRE

NRI

AVAILABLE Vegetable & fruit counter in grocery store in Saham available. Contact: 93006562 / 99417418 Party & Wedding equipment rentals.

Full line, from Tables, Linen & Skirting, Chairs & Chair covers, Cutlery, Crockery, Glassware, Chafing Dishes, Ice Sculptures, to Large Sound Systems and spectacular lighting. Call Andrea 9606 2222 for Catering and Croyden 9623 5555 for Sound & Light. ww.tunesoman.com, E-mail: info@tunesoman.com

ACC. AVAILABLE Near Mars Wadi Al Kabir spacious room hatched bath room separate kitchen facility (small family).

Contact: 95731543

FOR SALE Gas cooker (4 burner) in good condition for immediate sale. #96027403 Ice Cream & juices shop in Ruwi good location for sale suitable for beauty parlor also. Contact: 92150455 Shop for sale at Ruwi High street inside. Contact 96023492 Sale of Radiator of Cummins C 1100D5B Generator presently lying at M/s Al Ansari Yard in Ghala. For further information, please contact Mr. Deshpande on 99415504 M/s Muscat Surveyors LLC on 24816579 Beauty Parlor for sale or rent.

Contact 99131775 / 96700192 For sale land in Amerat 3000 Sq.mt with petrol pump permission.

Contact 99323957 / 92702891

Large room furnished sep / entrance Wadi Kabir. Contact: 99336206 A big room in available near Hamriya R/A for Muslim couple / small family / Executive bachelor rent 150/- per month including W+ E. Contact: 99495131 Acc. available for a decent Expatriate in Wadi Adai, Ruwi. Sharing entrance, own: room, kitchen and bathroom- fully furnished including elect. RO 150. Contact 96243086 from 5pm 3 BHK Fully Furnished Villa for (Family or executive bachelors) at South Al Mawaleh (Behind Seeb City Center). Gsm 92494923 Separate room with A/c, Small Fridge and Bed, for non-cooking Asian bachelor, behind Shell filling station, Ghoubra round about.

Contact: 94263390

Bobcat Grader and roller for rent.

Contact: 94584688 Volvo 12 Ton Truck for monthly rent. Contact: 98713900

ACC. AVAILABLE Single room with separate bathroom available opp. Al Nahdha Hospital for Indian families. Contact : 92394614 Sharing accommodation for couples near Kims Darsait.

Contact: 94627458 Room for rent with sharing bathroom & kitchen at Al Khuwair, behind Golden Spoon Restaurant.

Contact 92994415 Semi furnished separate room for non-cooking Asian bachelor, behind Shell filling station, Ghubra round about. Contact: 94263390

GOOD NEWS

SITUATION WANTM.V. FOR SALE ED

Brand new 3 bedroom flat in Ernakulam Vytila Bus terminal, 1500 sq ft, ready to occupy.

Contact 96947652

Toyota Yaris (Hatchback) - White, 2008, fully automatic, Expat used.

9206 6523

Ready to occupy (brand New) 3BHK,1200 sq ft apartment in Mogappair at KG signature citydirect from owner -No broker.

Contact Muscat-93210545, Chennai 9840468313

Mitsubishi Pajero 2006 model Automatic, 1,22,000 km, insurance + registration valid till August 2016 black, well serviced, good condition, OMR 2,800/-.

Contact: 94515102

MATRIMONIAL RC, Keralite ( Kottayam) male, 27 yrs, Civil Engineer, working in Muscat from decent family looking for suitable alliance.

Contact : 95035953

Large room with separate bathroom & sharing available in Al Khuwair.

Contact 95250161

Suitable alliance invited for a Marar (ambalavasi) girl 24yrs 170cm from thrissur, star rohini, shuddha jathakam, MTECH (e&c), from parents of boys belong to marar/ podoval/nair or related communities.

GSM: 00968 93691316 Email- smgkutty2006@yahoo.co.in

Furnished room (for Ladies)with attached bath separate entrance in Mabela. Contact :99634841

Seeking alliance for our son from Muslim families. Interested families Contact: 99889590

Ayurvedic Treatment for joint pain, backache, paralysis, massage, steam bath, obesity, spondylitis , IDEAL CARE Ayurvedic Clinic, 18 November Street, Azaiba # 99639695 / 98342990 FREE INFORMATION ABOUT ISLAM. If you would like to know more about Islam, please call: 99425598, 99250777, 99353988, 99253818, 99341395, and 99379133.

For ladies: 99415818, 99321360, 99730723 Orvisit:www.islamfact.com Ayurvedic massage backache, joint pain, neck pain etc.

Contact 98254909 Ayurvedic treatment for backache, paralysis, arthritis etc & massage, All Season (Vaidyaratnam). Contact 24475280 / 95371664 / 92504980 www.siddhayur.com

Mercedes car – C 180, 2010 model for sale, 160.000 KM, very good condition, expecting around R.O 6,000. Contact: 99751044 Lexus GX 460, 2013.

Contact : 99336093 Kia Cerato 2014 Model for sale 1300 kms Under agency warrenty and service. Contact: 99634841

LOST Muhammad Javed has lost Pakistani Passport No. CE8679191. Finder please handover to ROP. Sanih BT Sayat Oyen has lost Indonesia Passport No. 85595575.

Finder please handover to ROP

D4

M O N DAY, S E P T E M B E R 2 1 , 2 0 1 5 Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION SITUATION WANTED VACANT

SITUATION WANTED ACCOUNT. & FINANCE Indian female MBA fresher finance & HR B.Com Computer on family joining visa. Contact : 93839846 Email: abmiesunny92@gmail.com

Bangladeshi light driver (AG) 48) expe, 14 years, need job & visa have release paper transpire.

Contact: 99165961

Accountant with 8 years U.A.E experience, on visit visa, looking for a job. Contact : 96166512

Light Vehicle Driver with 4 yrs exp looking for job. Contact: 94241385

Senior Accountant 10 years experience, looking for accounts parttime works and finalization works.

Contact: 96247295

ADMIN Omani Receptionist required receptionist, well presented with excellent communications skills and telephone manner, fluent in Arabic and English required for Ruwi office. Candidates should be familiar with MS English and Arabic office suite. Send CV and covering email to mj-co@omantel.net.om

Indian female (BSc MBA) having 6 yrs exp in Garment industries seeking suitable office oriented job.

Contact : 91317975

ACCOUNTANT

MANAGER

SALES / MARKETING

Urgent need Purchaser / Imports, Accounts Assistant. Candidates with bachelors degree and 3 to 5 years relevant experience. Please email CV to trend1993@yahoo.com

Required Sales Manager for a hotel supply company with minimum 5 years experience.

Contact - 92035162

Urgently need Project Sales Executive - Modular Kitchens, candidates with bachelor’s degree and 3 to 5 years relevant experience, please email CV to trend1993@yahoo.com

DRIVER

25 yrs female Indian with B.Com MBA looking out for a job in finance / marketing / HR field with a work experience of 1 year, 3 months at Bank Muscat & 7 months at India.

Contact: 94657403 / 95537261

Light duty driver looking for job more than 4 years exp in Oman.

Contact: 92602182 Driver. Contact: 95084826 Wanted driving job.

Contact : 97690766 Driver Pakistani available.

NOC available. Contact: 94356465 Pakistani male light vehicle driver looking for job. Contact: 96474528 Driver with car. Contact :91452930 Wanted driver. Contact 95112461

BEAUTICIAN Urgently required experienced Beautician. Contact 96616731 or send CV to pbm.ibra@gmail.com

EDUCATION Urgently required for a private bilingual school at Al Ansab for immediate placement - Physics, Maths, Librarian, Nurse, Special Educators. Please email your CV : employment22013@gmail.com immediately.

Post Graduate researcher required.

Contact 99229700

MISCELLANEOUS Experienced Denter, Spray painter, Mechanic, Outdoor sales person required. Contact 98045373

SALES / MARKETING

CATERING ENGINEER/TECH/MECH Cooks & helpers for café.

Contact: 95529970 Restaurant Staff urgently required Tandoor roti maker, waiter/ helper required in restaurant in Saham.

Contact : 98029701 / 95821905

Reputed metal fabrication company seeks fabrication supervisor, structural steel fabricator, Machine maintenance Technician and Electrician. Contact: 99102383 Email: hr@khancogroup.com

Required Catering Supervisor, Chef, Asst. Cook & Chapathi makers for a catering Company in interior area. Apply with NOC. SMS : 99242984

A Mechanical Engineer with salesmanship experience of 5 years & above preferable with Oman drivers license and NOC. Please forward your CV to almaadhi.trd@gmail.com

Required Filipina female Waitresses & male Housekeepers in Dolphin Hotel – Muscat. Only residents / contact number: 24488192 please send C.V : dolphinhoteloman@hotmail.com

DOMESTIC HELPER Looking for a female who can teach and play with two kids at their home in Gubrah. Candidate must be caring and fluent in English.

Timing 2pm -6pm and salary RO120.

Contact: 93892656 Required housemaid for part time at Ghubra.Contact:93267065

DRIVER A reputed Lebanese chain of Restaurants requires Delivery Man in Muscat. The person should have a two wheeler driving license and must be familiar with the Muscat city. Are you interested to be a part of a reputed group please call 92443104.

MEDICAL Urgently required Female Nurses with MOH license for a Polyclinic. Attractive Salary with accommodation.

Contact: 97091664 or 97327175.

Email: mmcmuscat@gmail.com Required urgently General Physician Gynecology, Pharmacist, LAB Technicians staff nurse.

Contact: 95133572 Email: kunoozghala@gmail.com Wanted Nurse for dental centre in Mawaleh South & Qurum.

Contact 93431024, Email : drasyanaseem@gmail.com Urgently needed female Dermatologist with minimum 5 yrs experience. Send CV : elixirhealthcenter@ yahoo.com P.S. details of salary and benefits will be sent after submitting the CV

Driver with Oman driving licence needed. Visa available.

Contact 94288863

Wanted Pharmacist (B.Pharm), Staff Nurses (female) with or without MOH license for a polyclinic near Sohar. Excellent salary package.

Contact 99006915, Email : alhinaee.clinic@yahoo.com

Looking for an experienced house driver for an Omani family.

Interested candidates may Contact: 96203333

Required Pharmacies with license, needed for clinic in Al Khoudh , Contact :+968 97696502 , mail CV to towershr70@gmail.com

Marketing Manager with Oman experience & driving license.

Contact: 95766844 Sales Executive : required urgently for an established Printing Press.

Minimum 3 years relevant experience and working knowledge of printing process is expected.

Contact 99354681 Looking for qualified, good communication and computer skills candidate with experience for position of : Sales Manager to work in high-end window tinting business. Minimum academic requirements: bachelor’s degree and own a driving license.

Kindly email your CV to abdullah.alhinai86@gmail.com

Accomplished Advertising Sales & Business Development Executives for leading Media Enterprise.

Enthusiastic Freshers also welcome. jobs@interacoman.com Required experienced Sales / Marketing Executives having light license. Send your CV ocean@omantel.net.om AVON requires female Omani Nationals (bi-lingual) and Expatriates to join their expanding local Sales Team. Candidate must have good communication skills, highly organized with a commitment and enthusiasm to be successful. Training will be provided. Valid Omani D/L necessary. Send CV on samiha-avon@mhd.co.om Required Sales Executive for Stationery Company with Oman driving license. Send Email: mipartjob@gmail.com

SKILLED LABOR Urgently required Sales Executives for construction materials with local experience, driving license and NOC. Send the CV with photo to grioman@gmail.com

Wanted urgently need two Tailors who can make curtains.

Contact: 98962888

SITUATION WANTED ACCOUNT. & FINANCE Fresher 24 years B.Com Graduate, Tally 7.2 & ERP9, looking for a suitable placements in Accounts.

Contact: 97219505

Highly experienced & qualified Finance Controller / Manager seeks suitable position. NOC available. Can join immediately. Contact: 92817797

ACCA finalist, Recent B.Com Graduate, Indian female, looking for full time employment in Accounting and Audit. +968 96964379, sangeethaumesh5@gmail.com

Indian female 26 yrs B.Com CA Inter with 4 yrs experience seek placement in accounts. Contact : 94045427

Senior Finance Professional (CA, ICWA, CIMA), Indian, with more than 25 years of varied experience in finance and accounting, project evaluations and business valuations seeks suitable employment opportunities in Oman, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait or Bahrain. Available for immediate joining. Contact Gopal +971 50 508 2538, email – rajiraja@hotmail.com

Indian male 27 yrs, B. Com, MBA, CA Inter ( pursuing final) with 7+ yrs experience, seeks suitable placement in accounts, holds valid Saudi D/L. Contact : 95358659 Chief Accountant, 12 years Oman experience looking for suitable position. Contact: 99513082 Accountant 7 Years Experience with D/L and NOC. Contact 97712084

Indian male B.Com Graduate 24 years looking for suitable placement. Contact: 97219505 Indian male 10 years experience, 6 years in Oman, with Oman driving license, having NOC seeking suitable job. Contact: 96012973 Jordanian Accountant (ACPA) with more than 15 yrs experience in Oman (Accounts, Purchase & finance.

Contact: 92881223 Email: kamal_sarhan@yahoo.com Indian male, 27years, MCom, having 2years experience in Accounts looking for suitable position.

Presently on visit visa.

Contact 93455055| gibingeorge88@gmail.com Part time Accountant available.

Contact : 93438100

Car with driver or without cat specially Companies.

Contact 97943750 / 97408900 Driver job wanted.

Contact: 99343782 Light duty driver 5 years exp in Oman. Contact: 92602182

DOMESTIC HELP Housemaid (exp 20 years) looking for English, family.

Contact: 99564133 / 96534195

EDUCATION Indian female, MSC physics B.ED having 5 years experience in teaching looking for suitable jobs.

Contact: 97367389

ADMIN ENGG. / TECH./MECH. Indian male BBA Graduate 12 years experience in Administration level 15 months exp in Oman having NOC available looking for suitable placement. Contact : 91458388 Indian 24 years BCA MCITP having 2 years exp as system administrator looking suitable job.

Contact: 94170892 Filipina, 10 yrs experience in Fashion Retail, Shipment, Logistics, Inventory, Warehouse Control and Store Management is seeking employment. Call +971565833126 or 97728418.

14 years of gulf experience in HR / Admin & logistics fluent in Arabic / English with D/L looking for suitable position. Contact: 95824598

ARCHITECT Senior Architect, Indian male 15yrs exp. having DL& NOC, Looking for suitable position.

Contact: 97239313 Email: abdul_muq2000@yahoo.co.uk

CATERING Indian male B.A with Diploma in Hotel Mgt with 15 yrs experience in hotels & catering, having Oman D/L seek suitable placement.

Contact: 95451547 Email: lijosaju@yahoo.com

Indian Mechanical Engineer, 30, having 8yrs of UAE Sales/Business Development. experience in Electromechanical and Irrigation sectors. Contact no- +971558763220 email id-sangowri@outlook.com Young Electrical Engineer looking for suitable placement. Having specialization in electronics.

Contact 99227861 Project Manager (Interior fitouts décor & MEP) B.E. Arch having 8 years experience looking for a suitable position in a reputed company.

Local release is available.

Contact: 91528851 B.E Arch with 8 years experience as 2 Project Manager in Interior fitouts décor & MEP works looking for suitable. Local release is available.

Contact: 91528851 Indian male diploma in Civil Engineering with 20 years experience in interior fitout with valid driving license NOC and local release available. Contact: 98048410 Mechanical Engineer, male 28 yrs, Indian 2 yrs experience (L& T Ports) as Maintenance Engineer knowledge in protect planning & management seeking for a suitable job. Contact: 92685011 on visit visa.

Email: srinathvijayanavs@gmail.com

M O N DAY, S E P T E M B E R 2 1 , 2 0 1 5

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DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED ENGG. / TECH./MECH. 22, Indian female,Chemical Engineer with valid Omani driving license seeking internship/job opportunities in oil and gas/perfumery and cosmetics sector. Currently on family visa.Contact: 97242506 Bangladeshi Diploma Civil Engineer 3 years experience in Bangladesh 2 years in Oman.

Contact: 93796905 / 97319361 Electronic & Communication Engineer auto cad, 2 yrs Indian experience in Instrumentation, currently on visit visa looking for a suitable position.

Contact : 94493227, Email: rijokokkadan@gmail.com Female Civil Engineer with 3.5 years experience looking for job in Muscat, proficient in site execution, tendering procedures billing, Quantity take off, budgetary control have knowledge in AutoCAD, SAP, Word, excel, power point. Contact: 97207212 Email: ranjur20@gmail.com Civil Engg, B.Tech fresher Indian male currently on visit visa seeks suitable placement. #91702450 Email: tijoct2015@hotmail.com Civil Engineer, Indian M 29 5yrs exp. having DL & NOC Looking for suitable position.

Contact: 94576233 Email: suhailmullah@gmail.com Pakistani diploma civil (Eng) 24 year 1.5 years experience in Pak) 2 years in (Oman). Contact: 97138320 Since March 2010 in Oman as a building Construction Site supervisor with Oman D/L looking for suitable placement or small Omani Construction Co. Contact 93061107 D.A.E (Civil) Engineer 5 years experience Infrastructure work + safety officer cause (OSHA & IOSH) looking for suitable placement.

Contact: 97850996 Degree Engineer Civil, 6 years experience Oman D/L, N.O.C available for a suitable position.

Contact: 93523507 / 95961336 Indian male, 23 yrs, B.E in Mechanical post Graduation Diploma in piping Engineering, seeking job in relevant field. Contact : 94786570 Email: asim.hajwani6@gmail.com A Senior Executive, Civil Engineering professional is available for multitask engagement, coordination lead contract disposals in consultancy or construction set ups.

Contact 99703972 Indian 22 years male, Mechanical Engineer, B.Tech has done internships, born and brought up in Oman with Omani driving license, seeking suitable jobs.

Contact 92791637 Email: ashwinsureshkotturethu@gmail.com Indian male Production Engineer logistics supply chain seeks suitable placement, currently visit visa.

Contact : 97804481 Email: akshaygopi@hotmail.com

ENGG. / TECHNICAL MECH. ENGG Indian male having 1 year exp & AutoCAD knowledge looking for suitable job.

Contact: 92835957 Indian Mechanical Engineer 31 yrs, 8+ experience in sales & Bus. Dev, having Oman driving license & NOC. Contact: 97116858 Email: menonamit1984@gmail.com Electrician 3 years experience in Building lines in Oman and other related experience also. NOC available. Stay till 29.09.2015. Contact: 94057129 / 95964419 Email: raheemdadbaloch@hotmail.com Electrical Eng. Degree (MEP) need suitable job of construction 12 yrs exp.

Email: mohd.ateeq.khan@gmail.com C-SWIP 3.1 ASNT level 2 QC Mech.

Engr 5+ yrs exp Indian male 26 seeks placement. Contact : 91823331 Email: kannasekhar46@gmail.com Electrical and Electronics Engineer with one year experience and GCC licence holder seeking a job mail – shyjalpk@gmail.com

Indian BE (MECH) aviation BE degree diploma in material quality management 17 years Navy aviation 13 years construction purchase stores professional on visit.

Contact: 90205082 /98796982 Engineer with 3 yrs experience in Indian in MEP, HVAC& mechanical maintained field on visit visa looking for suitable job. Contact 99191535 Email: fareed029@gmail.com Btech computer science graduate 2015 passout.. Android application marketing.. Having good communication skills and mindset to work in a team. Contact 91024385 Indian male BE Mechanical currently on 2 yrs free visa with NOC & local release. Looking for suitable job in Muscat. Contact – 90296975 / ali.syedausaf@gmail.com

HOSPITALITY Indian Male 5 years experience in Admin and Hospitality services, seeks suitable placement Contact:96461046 Email:chijilsidhan5@gmail.com

SAP BW Analyst : Indian male, 26 yrs, B.Tech (CS & E) from ASET, New Delhi, worked as a Business Analyst in Software Industry.

Contact 98008127 / 92878708, vaisakh.bhaskar@gmail.com

BE Electrical Engineer 8 years experience 4 years in Oman with Oman driving license.

Contact : 96942032 Civil Engineer (Diploma) seeking for placement. Contact: 95200650 B.E Civil job, Project Eng exp 11 yrs.

Contact: 95690780 / 95694048 Email: sadiq.asrar81@gmail.com Civil Engineer (Diploma) 3.5 years experience seeking for placement.

Contact: 96535084 Civil Engineer (diploma) 3.5 yrs exp, seeking for placement.

Contact: 95200650

Indian male, MSc, MPhil, BEd Chemistry,2 Yrs Teaching experience and having experience in lab analyst, currently on visit visa, seeks suitable post.

Contact 90208673

Sudanese procurement Manager three years experience in Oman.

Contact: 93391008 Senior Manager Indian, 30 years in FMCG Business in Oman looking for better opportunity at management level. Contact 99231513 Fabrication Manager overall 07 years of experience in fabrication of Structural steel industry with NOC & driving license looking for an opportunity available up to 25th September 2015.

Contact : 97004394 Email: mohanmukund_mech@yahoo.co.in 22 years B.Com Graduate having experience in trading of car accessories and also with valid GCC driving license looking for a suitable job.

Contact 98504698

MISCELLANEOUS TIG+ARC welder Indian with 16yrs middle est. exp in copper nickel.

Diplex, inconel, S.S, CS Now on visit visa seeks suitable placement.

Contact: 96502282.

Email manuangola88@gmail.com Pakistani Qualified 15 years experience in automobiles work shop supervisor service advisor repair estimator mechanical accidental having UAE driving license on express visa looking job please.

Contact : 96042322

SALES / MARKETING

B.Tech civil project coordinator 5 years experience of with different ministry projects NOC available.

Contact: 94194393

Cisco certified Network Engineer with license NOC 4+ years experience looking for job.

Contact: 91703807 Email: ekrema.zia@gmail.com

Indian female BSc Nurse with 4 years experience with Oman prometric 64% looking for suitable placement in capital area. Contact: 95847286

IT Software Programmer, 6 yrs exp in software development (Java, PL/SQL Unix) on visit visa.

Contact: 99487493

Sudanese Telecom Engineer five years experience in Oman.

Contact: 93391008

A GNM Nurse seeking suitable placement in Hospital or clinic having 11 yrs experience in Oman.

Contact 98766167, can ready to work temporary or permanent.

MANAGER/ SUPERVISOR SUPERVISOR: Indian male site supervisor (AIR CONDITIONING) 25 years of experience with valid Oman Driving license, seeking suitable placement. Contact: 97498809, 93391910 Email: hilariankj@gmail.com

Indian male BE civil project Engineer 15 years Oman experience in building projects with valid D/L NOC available. Contact: 92178471

Indian male software Engineer 2 years experience knowledge of Java .NET C# ASP.Net. Contact: 99210940 working in techno park Indian Trivandrum

MEDICAL

Indian 24 years BCA MCITP having 2 years exp as System Administrator looking suitable job.

Contact: 94170892 B.Tech Information Technology looking job in System work. MS Office, Data Entry, Networking experience, 2 years experience in Linux Admin. Contact: 92472137 Email: vairavel.inbaa@gmail.com CCNA MCITP Network support/ Network technician with 2 yrs experience Indian male having bachelors degree on visit visa.

Contact: 93080871, email :sean.f.peters@outlook.com Indian male 34 yrs M.Tech Industrial biotechnology having teaching experience seeking for job.

M. Ramkumar. Contact : 96674521, 0091-9940586051 Email: rmkumar28@gmail.com BE, ECE Mumbai university skills in C, C++, windows, linux, controller and processor RTOS, Electronics, Networking, 6 months experience in embedded software seeks placement. Contact : 917774864736 Email: sadatbtisekar@gmail.com

MBA Graduate having 23 yrs of experience as Sales Manager in building materials trading looking for a suitable opportunity, release available. Contact 92106768, Email : suvimasri@gmail.com Business intelligence / Global Marketing management specialist with 9 years of experience developing brand value & managing overall projects to achieve business objectives seeking suitable position on family visit. Contact: 91902154 MBA 15 years experience in Sales & Marketing in telecom, FMCG, presently in India C/O Saif Kazi.

Contact : 99625957 Email Id: a_kazi123@yahoo.co.in Indian male 25 yrs BBM Graduate 3 yrs of experience Sales / Marketing in Oman looking in suitable placement. Contact : 93185316 Email: karsh794@gmail.com

TOURS & TRAVELS Five years experience in Travel field ,BCom., IATA & pursuing MBA, Presently working in the Travel Desk of (ITC managed) Five Star Hotel in India, looking for a suitable position in the Middleeast. pls contact 9470 5767

MISCELLANEOUS Indian male B.Eng. in IT,CCNA,MCSA,MCSE, 2.5 yrs + exp. in IT support, networking and server support valid Omani D/L seeking suitable placement in IT/Network/ Server support. Contact 92607532

Indian male Oman 8 yrs exp looking for any suitable vacancy for accountant / Asst. Accountant office admin local release available.

Contact : 98492752 Email: atiduehzidve@rediffmail.com

ACCA Affiliate, OBU Degree, 2.5 years experience in audit and finance in Big6 firm, Looking for permanent placement. NOC release available. Contact: #95140445, a.saran891@gmail.com

Indian B.E Computer Science graduate 2012 passout. 1 .5 yrs exp. in Accounting. Having good communication skills and mindset to work in a team. Having NIIT certificate in Diploma in Java Technology.

Contact: 9776 7894 Email: jinsonjacobjohn@gmail.com

B.Tech EEE with 4+ years experience in the field of it, networking, ex-tonics etc. presently working in Amazon India development centre as a content quality associate seeking for suitable jobs in Oman. Contact : +91 9940514005, 93116402 email: mail2nbn@gmail.com

Indian Male Nurse with Moh licence & Noc seeking a job with Family Status gsm:95817579.

E.mail:vasudevanv2005@gmail.com

Indian male 24 YEARS, B.Tech (Electrical & Electronics), having 2 yrs. exp as Electrical Site Engineer. Done IOSH & NEBOSH- IGC certifications, seeking for suitable placement in any related industries. Contact 98045482, Email: mastanshaik1008@gmail.com

MBA Finance with more than five years of experience in Finance & Accounts including GCC, looking for a suitable opening. Having UAE driving license. Contact no..91391802.

Indian male, 24 years, HSE Engineer having 2 years of Indian experience.

Done IOSH & NEBOSH- IGC certifications, seeking for suitable placement in any related industries. #98045482 ACCA finalist, recent B.Com Graduate, Indian female, looking for full time employment in Accounting and Audit. +96896964379, sangeethaumesh5@gmail.com 27, male, ACCA finalist, have professional experience up to finalization of Accounts, Statutory and internal audit, expertise in using tally and focus & Oracle Software, have 3.5 years experience in accounts till finalization, seeking for permanent replacement ,GSM-97654769,email id-abdullah.nooralam@yahoo.com M. Tech VLSI design, B. tech Electronics and instrumentation, Indian female,3 years teaching experience for graduation level students, seeking suitable placements .

Ph:00968 92904155. email-achusooraj@gmail.com Indian male 22yr BBA with LOGISTIC Diploma, exp in tally and data entry seeking in suitable placement.

Contact; 90151739 email shakeeb.mp280gmail.com Mechanical Draftsman, Indian male 27, Diploma in Mechanical Engineering having 7 years of experience in Auto CAD looking for a suitable placement. Contact : 97351786 / 96143708 E-mail : mohammednazeer07@gmail.com

Senior Accountant. 8 Years experience. NOC available. Oman driving license. Seek suitable opportunity.

GSM- 98184170 Chemical Engineer Indian 2 years of experience in production field Contact: 91247222 Email:sahadpoonchola@gmail.com B.E Mechanical Engineer with 2 years’ experience in HVAC field on visit visa looking for suitable job.

Contact: 93442296 Email Id: sal201091@gmail.com.

MBA (F) B.COM Indian female having knowledge of accounts with Tally looking for full or part time job. Presently on family visit visa.

Contact: - 96259171. Email: bhumicapandya@gmail.com Indian Male, MBA, Talented management expert having 6 year experience at U.A.E, India and Oman in luxury goods and Retail. Seeking suitable openings in related or same field. Contact:92700670 Email: jobcareer44@gmail.com MBA Finance with more than five years of experience in Finance & Accounts including GCC, looking for a suitable opening. Having UAE driving license. Contact no..91391802 Indian 26M, B. Tech Computer Science graduate, 3 years exp in India, looking for suitable job in Muscat.

Contact : 93125669, Email : amritrajGT18@gmail.com Accountant 7 years experience with D/L and NOC. Contact 97712084

Part- Time Accountant, well experience senior accountant ,doing all type of accounting works, Finalization, Budgeting available.

Contact 98803439 MBA - (F), M.Com, B.COM. Indian female having knowledge of accounts with Tally looking for part time or full time job. Presently on family visa. Contact :- 91892264.

Email:- yv.dixit@yahoo.com Sudanese/Bsc IT/26/2 years experience/excellent Eng-Arb speaking/ Omani driving license/96387227/ henrykarrar@gmail.com Indian male Accountant, 12 years experience, looking for a full time or part time job, experience in tally also. Contact 98983122 Pakistani, Male, Pak, Exp 14 Years in IT Trainer / Computer Teacher, looking for a better position in Oman, already working in Prestigious Construction Company.

Contact 95983711.

Join.mtmali@gmail.com Indian Male (Diploma in electronics Engineering and CCNA.) having 9 years of experience in Networking, 5 years’ experience in Oman. Looking for a suitable Placement. NOC available. GSM- 93787098, Email –anishktr@gmail.com INDIAN MALE 24 YEARS,B. Tech (Electrical & Electronic).Having 2 years experience as Electrical Site Engineer in Constructions. Done IOSH & NEBOSH- IGC certifications.

Seeking for suitable placement in constructions or in any related industries. Contact no: 98045482, Email: shannu.hse@gmail.com Admin, having 10+ years experience in Admin/HR/Logistics/Time Keeper, in reputed companies. Presently working in Muscat.

Contact- 968 94369965 mail - satya1528@gmail.com

D6

M O N DAY, S E P T E M B E R 2 1 , 2 0 1 5

DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com Tel. 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

SIT.WANTED Site Supervisor/ L Driver, Pakistani Male 33 with valid D/L, 4 years experience in Muscat, fluent in English, Arabic looking for suitable place.

Contact: 97950869 Indian male B.Eng. in IT,CCNA,MCSA,MCSE, 2.5 yrs + exp. in IT support, Networking and Server support with valid Omani D/L seeking suitable placement in IT/Network/ Server support. Contact 92607532 Indian male auto cad draughtsman (civil) 8 years experience seeking for part time job mobile no: 0096899070584, email: remluvp@gmail.com Indian Male, 25, Chartered Accountant, working with ICICI Bank India. On a Visit Visa in Oman.

Staying with parents at Azaibah.

Ph:24492638.

Email: shyamal008@gmail.com Diploma in civil engineering having an experience 24years (20years in Oman) experience in Estimator / quantity surveyor looking for a suitable placement, willing to join immediately Contact : 96328687 Indian male B.Eng. in IT,CCNA, MCSA, MCSE, 2yrs + exp. in IT support, networking and server support valid Omani D/L seeking suitable placement in IT/Network/Server support. Contact 92607532 Indian male, 14 yrs Experience in Maintenance & Supervisor in hotel field ( Electrical. Ac Mechanical & Plumber ) N O C available #95253640 . email = hareeshma24@yahoo.com ME Civil- structural Engineer, 8 Years Structural engineer experience, Looking for Structural Designer, supervisor or site engineer Position. Iranian male. #93696929, Email: mhsaz1359@gmail.com Indian Male 26 years MCA, MCSE 2012 certified, Microsoft Exchange Server Administration, having 1 year experience in IT/System Administration looking for suitable placement.

Contact Mob : 00968 92745708 Email: nabeelmmkty@gmail.com, Light duty driver, Young and honest.

Can speak Arabic, Hindi and understand English. Release available.

Ph.92854775 / 93487450 Indian female with MBA on visit visa seeking immediate placement.

Contact - 968-93316493 27,male,ACCA finalist, have professional experience upto finalization of accounts, statutory and internal audit, expertise in using tally and focus & oracle software, have 3.5 years experience in accounts till finalization and statutory audit, seeking for permanent replacement ,GSM-97654769,email idabdullah.nooralam@yahoo.com Sudanese male, 31 years, have 3 year Diploma in electrical engineer , 6 year experience in construction and electrical production plant .

Mobile No ; +96894549609 Indian male, B.com, MBA, having 5 years experience (3 years in U.A.E) is currently seeking suitable opportunities within finance/accounts/ admin dept.Contact:93953613, allen.mathew83@gmail.com B.Com graduate, 11 years experience in Accounts, 9 years Oman experience , Oman valid driving license, looking for suitable post.

Mob:92758404 NOC Available.

Indian male 27 years B.E & MS Mechanical Engineer working in Delhi for last 4 years inJcb India pvt. ltd., seeks placement in Oman.

Contact: 93393768 Driver looking for job exp 2 yrs.

Contact: 98522914

SITUATION WANTED Female MBA gold medalist, with computer proficiency, Oman driving license looking for job opportunity in event management companies in Muscat. Ph : 99012949 SENIOR ACCOUNTANT, Indian male,29 years.8 years experience .Presently working in Oman as a Senior Accountant with oman Driving license. NOC available. Seek suitable opportunity. GSM: 97705854 Two year experience in Oman, experience in sales, purchase and system admin, Having GCC license.

Contact number 97475860, Yadhukrishnan08@gmail.com Indian Male, 32 yrs, MBA-HR, Trainer & Faculty worked on Omanisation & nationals development activities with 10 yrs of experience seeking suitable job. Contact : 93891401 saiprasad_18@yahoo.com Sudanese 29 male (Bsc computer science,diploma computer engineering), 6 yrs. experience dba oracle plsql , ms sql-server ,ms visual studio vba,network Omani Driver licence language English, Arabic Tel: 91415886 Piping Design Engineer, Indian male 27, looking for suitable placement in Piping Design & Engineering. Having 7 years of experience in AutoCAD. Also familiar with PDMS (11.6 Version),CAESAR ll. Contact : 97351786 / 96143708/97357143 Indian female, 24yrs, M.COM (Accounts) having 3 yrs experience in Accounts, HR, Administration, Customer Service. Good Computer Proficiency seeking Suitable Position. Visa Transfer/NOC Available.

Contact: 99654913

Indian female B. Com MBA finance ,5 years experience in oman as an account seeking suitable placement.

Contact 99044292 Indian Male 22 Years , Graduation In Electronics Seeking Jobs In Supervisory , Sales & Sales Co-ordination Fields , Good Communication Skill Contact 96141317, E-mail: akhilek5@gmail.com DIPLOMA+B.E.(CIVIL ENGINEER), Indian, 4 years of experience, currently on visit visa; Seeking Right Position. GSM:91570703.

Indian male 23 years Graduate, working as a sales coordinator cum purchase & office coordination 2 yrs in oman Having oman license & NOC looking for suitable job in Muscat Email:yadhukrishnan08@gmail.com, GSM:97475860 ME. Civil Engineer, Structural Designer, 3 Years Structural Design, 6 Years Str. Engineer Experience, Looking For Structural Designer Position. Iranian Male. #93696929, Email: mhsaz1359@gmail.com Male Graphic designer cum animation, non linear editing VFX, seeking suitable position.

Contact: 97792661 / 96229406 B-tech Electrical Engineer with more than 2 years of experience in erection and designing of HT and LT electrical systems. Seeking for suitable job in Muscat. #98269366.

Email: sijincleetus@gmail.com Indian Female BSC nurse with 8+ years of experience including 3 years of GCC exp. Oman Prometric passed with 57 %. Currently in Oman.

Contact : 98034384

SITUATION WANTED Data Entry operator cum Buyer, Indian male,26years.BA, Computer proficiency :Operating system (Windows 2000xp & Windows7) E plus and Tally ERP9, 4 yrs Experience in Oman seeks suitable placements.

Mob: 95360255 Senior Accounts Professional, Indian Male, 36 years, M.Com, MBA (Fin) 9 years in Oman, with valid Oman DL and NOC available. Capable to handle accounts up to finalization.

Contact 9602 3965.

Driver 5 years exp know English, Arabic,& Hindi Education B.A. Contact : 91615715 / 99512270 Indian Male 24 years, Looking for a Suitable Job in Telecom / Networking, 1 year sales experience. M. Sc. Communications Engineering & Valid Driving license. Ph: 91280121.

Email: jackrprasad@yahoo.com Indian lady 30 years Graduate having work experience in India and Oman looking for Admin or any other suitable job. Contact : 95676957 Indian male, 39 yrs, MSC Computer Science 10 years experience IT support, FMS Engineer, bank experience looking for suitable job. #94276449 Indian, presently on visit visa in Salalah looking for job B.com failed UAE experience in accounts, commercial Admin & warehouse.

Contact: 92754071 /93346931 Email: sathyanathanuk@gmail.com MBA (Marketing /HR) with 45 years exp in business development and marketing, having valid Oman driving license seeks suitable placement currently available on family visa.

Contact 97618033 Email: vjgeorge12@gmail.com Indian, male, 41 years, CA Inter, Persuing CA final. Now on express visa. 7 years of Experience in OMAN as Finance and Accounts Manager in Trading , Construction and Firefighting industry. 21 Years of exp. seeking suitable Managerial positions. No visa issues. Immediate joining.

Contact 98469311 Email:sebin30@yahoo.co.in Indian male 63 years have 30 years Muscat experience all office work sales business development insurance administration accounts with Oman driving license. Contact 99249412

Indian female LLB (Advocate) 2 years experience looking for suitable post legal advisor company secretary etc. # 93343190 / 94476387 Email: shafu1019@gmail.com Indian Female Accountant, CA Final (Group I cleared), 5+ year’s experience in the field of Accounts, Audit and Financial ERPs. Currently available in Muscat and seeking suitable job opportunities.Ph:94704800 email id: vinithsavith@gmail.com B.E (IT) 1 year exp complete schooling in Muscat needs job in software / net working / java/ WEB design or marketing. #97136248 / 99313821 Indian female, B.Sc, PGDCA, currently on family joining visa, 2 years working experience in oman as customer care / sales co-ordinator, immediate joining seeks suitable placements. Contact no. (968) 95573205 / 95949230 / 95800792 Indian male 22 years ACCA affiliate , BSc, Graduate in applied accounting 2 months working experience seeking suitable placement in Finance / Accounts / audit immediately. Contact: 97378607 / 92558734 B-tech Electrical Engineer with more than 2 years of experience in erection and designing of HT and LT electrical systems. Seeking for suitable job in Muscat. Contact: 98269366.

Email: sijincleetus@gmail.com Project Manager / Senior Engineer, Indian Male BE Civil, 21yrs experienced including Oman looking for the Job Contact +918939295181 Email I’D 58031_bala@yahoo.co.in Indian male 26 , graduate in mechanical engineering having 2 years experience in fabrication production filed in India, looking for a suitable job. mobile: +968-91384621 EMAIL : rmekhil@hotmail.com

INDIAN MALE 23 YEARS,B. Tech (Electrical & Electronic). Done IOSH & NEBOSH- IGC certifications. Looking for HSE engineer job in Oil Gas Sector, constructions or in any related industries. Contact 98045482 Indian male. M.com holder with two year working experience as an accountant in India. Now at Muscat on visiting visa. Seeks suitable placement. Gsm:96947500,99463120, :mohamedshafikk5@gmail.com ACCOUNTANT, Indian male,29 years.8 years experience .Presently working in Oman as a Senior Accountant with oman Driving license.

NOC available seek suitable opportunity. GSM: 97705854 Civil site coordinator, Diploma, Male 25, now present in Oman, Seeking job in Oman. Contact 92887561, jubincivileng@gmail.com B-tech Electrical engineer with more than 2 years of experience in erection and designing of HT and LT electrical systems. Seeking for suitable job in Muscat. Contact:98269366.

Email:sijincleetus@gmail.com Indian Female B.Sc., B.Ed.(Maths), M.C.A residing in Al-Ghubra seeking a teaching position as a Math Teacher GSM.- 94231633 Female, Indian, 35 Yrs- house maid available for Full/Part time work in Muscat. contact- 96754303.

Indian male, ERP Functional Consultant (SCM, MM, HRMS), Seeks employment.Contact: 98478928, Email: anand.desai2408@gmail.com Indian male , 14 yrs Experience in maintenance & Supervisor in otel field ( Electrical . Ac Mechanical & Plumber ) N O C available#95253640 email hareeshma24@yahoo.com

Sr. Sales Executive, Indian Male, Holding Valid Oman DL. Total experience in Oman of 15 years with 4 years Rent a Car Co. experience. Looking for Opportunities in any Industry for similar sales role. # 95703233 email id “khetani_r@yahoo.com

Piping Design Engineer, Indian male 27, looking for suitable placement in Piping Design & Engineering. Having 7 years of experience in AutoCAD. Also familiar with PDMS (11.6 Version),CAESAR ll. Contact : 97351786 / 96143708, Email : mohammednazeer07@gmail.com

29 years Indian female (MBAFinance) with 4+yrs experience (Oman) in Accounts, seeking suitable placement in Accounts/Admin.

Contact:96141283

Indian male 28YRS, 7Years exp. in Architectural & structural Draughtsman & 3d visualization, looking for a suitable Post GSM: +971551965944.

Email:aboosufiyan@gmail.com

M O N DAY, S E P T E M B E R 2 1 , 2 0 1 5

D7

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED SERVICES

SIT.WANTED INDIAN MALE 23 YEARS, B. Tech (Electrical & Electronic) having 4 years working experience as an Electrical site Engineer. Looking for suitable job in Oil Gas Sector or in related industries. Contact 98045482 Indian Female, M.Com & MBA with 1.5 years of experience in Reinsurance Treaty seeking a good job opportunity in Insurance & Reinsurance Accounts or General Accounts.

Contact: +968 91920189, Email: neethumano.manohar@gmail.com CCNA MCITP network support / network technician with 2 years experience Indian male having bachelors degree on visit visa. #93080871 sean.f.peters@outlook.com 8 yrs exp 2d, 3d draughtsman (HOLDING OMANI DRIVING LICENSE) seeking job. Contact : 93790601 ME. Civil Engineer, Structural Designer, 3 Years Structural Design, 6 Years Str Supervising Experience, Looking For Structural Designer Position. Iranian Male. # 93696929 Email: mhsaz1359@gmail.com BSC Female Nurse having 8 years of experience ( 3 years in gulf). Prometric passed - 57%. Currently in Oman.

Contact : 98034384 ACCOUNTANT, Male, 8 years experience .Presently working in Oman as a Senior Accountant with Oman Driving license. NOC available seeks suitable opportunity. GSM: 98184170 ACCOUNTANT, M.Com holder with 2 year working experience as an accountant in Kerela-India, seeks suitable placement. GSM NO:96947500, 9 9463120, mail: mohamedshafikk5@gmail.com Indian Male 22 Years, Graduation In Electronics Seeking Jobs In Supervisory , Sales & Sales Co-ordination Fields , Good Communication Skill Contact 96141317, E-mail: akhilek5@gmail.com

WEBSITE

COMPUTER

Sudanese.male 32 years.B.SC mechanical engineer.7years experience.5 years experiance in Gulf.working now in water pipeline projects.fluent Arabic and English. have Omani driving license.looking for good opportunity TEl:91117089 Filipino (male), 37 yrs. old, having 8yrs. experience in Operation (Shipping & Logistics) currently on visit visa looking for suitable job.

GSM: 97121525 Chartered Accountant with 7 years of post qualification experience, seeking challenging job opportunity.

Experience in auditing/accounts & finance/taxation/IFRS, etc.

GSM +968 95763680

MANPOWER

Indian Female Interior Designer, 4.5 yrs experience, seeking immediate mid-senior level position with firm having lady clearance. NOC Available. Contact 93033072 Indian Male 22 years, ACCA Affiliate with B..Sc. Degree in Applied Accounting having three months working experience seeking suitable placement in Finance / Accounts / Audit. Holding valid Oman D/L. Contact 97378607 / 92558734 Indian female Nurse, Prometric passed 64%, 5 years of experience, MOH licensed, presently working in Oman seeking a suitable placement in reputed Hospitals, NOC available.

Contact: 98329941, Email: ancyanish2011@gmail.com.

Female from India -MA. B.Ed. with One year three months Teaching experience. English seeking for a urgent better placement, Now working in Oman. #93961142, 92184408 Email:-anoopkesavan78@gmail.com.

Driver with car seeking suitable post. Contact : 916602662 Video Editor 29 years Indian male with 8 years experience on visit visa looking for a suitable placement.

Contact: 91275969 / leomoorkoth@gmail.com Syrian male 3yrs. exp in IT support, Networking, Security systems, Server support, IT sales and marketing.

Valid Omani D/L seeking suitable placement. Contact 91033395 8 yrs exp 2d, 3d Draughtsman (HOLDING OMANI DRIVING LICENSE) seeking job.

Contact 97449630

CLASSES

WEB, ERP and Business Intelligence (BI) creation and management at rock bottom price.

Contact: http//webviewoman

TRANSPORTATION

House shifting & transporting.

Contact 92490422

Split & widow unit A.C servicing & repairing. Contact: 99557080

MARBLE CRYSTALLIZATION restore the original shine of your marble. #24793614/ 99314807

Split & window unit A.C servicing & maintenance.

Contact: 96236476

Used house & office furniture & electronic items. Contact: 99834373 / 96642500

Window & split unit A.C servicing & maintenance.

Contact: 93769089 / 95323517

Supply fixing Wallpapers, all carpets. Contact: 99834373 / 96642500

Air condition maintenance installation window AC, split a/c, ducted AC and package type units.

Contact: 98667326

One stop shop business services : Public Relation (PRO) formation new companies, LLC companies, Investor visa, business setup, prepare businesses & companies accounts, legal services, representing you and your company. Contact: Saleh : 96723485

Transportation in Muscat.

Contact: 95530908 Transportation for saloon car& delivery van. Contact : 95530908 Transportation. Contact 99508282 Transportation available.

Contact -955 70 429

SIT.WANTED Indian male MBA + TALLY , 29 years & 7years experience in Administration and Manager level in Reputed companies, Seeking suitable placement. Contact 96297709 / +91 9066130371, Email: jomonjohnm9@gmail.com

DRIVING

House shifting & packing.

Contact: 99657644 /98518013 Carpet Shampoo, marble & tile polishing, pest control & anti-termite treatment, general cleaning painting, Plumbing, Electrical, shifting.

Contact Mundhir Al-Rizaiqi trading.

L.L.C. # 24810137, 99450130 Marble Restoration, Mosaic tiles polishing, carpet shampooing, maintenance. Contact ABU QABAS99320217 /24788722

SITUATION WANTBUSINESS ED

Window & split unit A.C servicing & maintenance. Contact 93769089 / 95323517 GUARANTEED CLEANING: Carpet & sofa shampooing, Contact 99314807/24792998 Pest Control Treatments, Cockroaches, Ants, Rodents & Termites, Ocean Center LLC. Contact: 99344723/ 99357908 General cleaning & Shampooing. Ocean Center LLC. Contact: 99344723/99357908 Water proofing ABUQABASContact 99320217/24788722

Required investors for different projects. Contact: 99674870 We will register LLC trade license for foreign investors and do all actions. Contact: 92833566

D8

M O N DAY, S E P T E M B E R 2 1 , 2 0 1 5

DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com Tel. 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

TOURS

SITUATION WANTED CARGO

SITUATION WANTCARGO

SITUATION WANTED CARGO

Dolphin Watch, Dhow Cruise with Buffet, & Land Tours Al- Ainain Marine Tours Contact- 98029602, 92808636

RENT A CAR

RENT A CAR

*Classified Advertisement space booking with text, should be done till 12.00 noon for next day’s publication. * Subject to space availability